Hydroforming Titanium: Efficient Process for a Valuable Metal
Hydroforming
Engineers appreciate titanium for its unparalleled strength-to-weight ratio and its resistance to corrosion. It’s no surprise that this remarkable metal is used in a wide range of demanding applications, from propellers of ocean-going vessels to jet engines to tiny parts in the smart phone you’re probably using. And because it’s non-toxic and binds well with human bone, titanium can be used in a variety of medical devices and implants.
Of course one of the drawbacks of titanium is its expense. The cost puts a premium on efficiency when manufacturing small parts from titanium. Efficiency can be achieved (and costs reduced) by eliminating waste of the raw material, by reducing setup costs and by speeding up production. For many applications, especially for parts with complicated shapes, hydroforming is the best choice for manufacturing titanium parts and it can provide all of the efficiencies listed above.
Hydroforming for efficiency and precision
Jones Metal has been using hydroforming processes since 1957 (see our explanation of how the hydroforming process works) and has 11 hydroforming presses and the technical expertise to produce even complex titanium parts. Hydroforming offers several advantages that will reduce your expenses.
From the aerospace to the medical industries, many applications for titanium parts require a smooth finish. Hydroforming your titanium parts yields a smoother surface than other processes, such as draw stamping, which may eliminate the need for buffing and polishing that add steps to the production process and costs to the bottom line.
Because the hydroforming process does not require the creation of matching male and female dies, setup costs are lower, as well. Hydroforming is a flexible process that allows for easier changes in parameters such as material thickness. And because hydroforming is a one-step process, the actual production time is kept to a minimum.
For all of these reasons, hydroforming is likely to be the most efficient and cost-effective method of producing the titanium parts you need, particularly for small objects with complex shapes or for limited quantities of parts or for prototypes. Call us at 740-545-6381 to discuss your project and how hydroforming in titanium may be the best approach, or you can send us your drawings directly.
Recommended Resources from the Hydroforming Experts
Check out our latest video featuring
a deep dive on hydroforming by Jones Metal Products.
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