Forming and Shaping of Titanium Alloy

The purpose of the work was to develop and demonstrate a manufacturing process or combination of processes for forming 38-inch-thick titanium alloy plate into complex shapes. In order to achieve maximum ballistic protection from these parts, this process was to use a forming temperature as close to room temperature as possible. Room temperature explosive compression forming techniques were used in the fabrication of titanium plate geometries. Intermediate annealing was used to extend the degree to which the low formability titanium alloy could be plastically deformed prior to exceeding the limits of ductility.