CPTi Powder

Overview of CPTi Powder

CPTi (chemically pure titanium) powder is a high purity titanium metal powder used in various applications requiring excellent corrosion resistance, high strength, low weight, and biocompatibility. It offers superior properties compared to other titanium grades and alloy powders.

CPTi powder is produced by gas atomization process to achieve spherical powder morphology with minimal contamination. It has a particle size range of 15-150 microns generally. The high purity and cleanliness result in excellent flowability, packing density and sinterability.

Some key properties and advantages of CPTi powder include:

CPTi Powder Properties and Characteristics

Properties	Details
Composition	99.5% minimum Titanium. Low O, C, N, H, Fe impurities
Density	4.5 g/cc
Flowability	Excellent due to spherical morphology
Sinterability	Excellent, achieves near full density
Particle shape	Predominantly spherical
Particle size range	15-150 microns
Apparent density	2.7-3.2 g/cc
Purity	Up to 99.995% Ti content
Impurities	Low oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, iron
Color	Dark gray with metallic luster

CPTi Powder Key Advantages

• High purity improves performance and biocompatibility
• Spherical powder morphology provides good flow and packing
• Widely used for additive manufacturing, metal injection molding
• Corrosion resistance superior to stainless steel in many environments
• High strength-to-weight ratio
• Non-toxic and non-allergenic
• Can be alloyed to modify properties like strength
• Cost-effective compared to wrought titanium

CPTi powder is an excellent choice for parts and products requiring the optimum combination of strength, low weight, corrosion resistance, fatigue resistance, and biocompatibility.

It is used for diverse applications in aerospace, medical, automotive, chemical, and consumer industries.

CPTi Powder Composition and Purity Grades

CPTi powder composition has a minimum of 99.5% titanium content. The impurity levels of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen and iron are carefully controlled. Higher purity grades up to 99.995% Ti are also produced.

CPTi Powder Composition

Element	Weight %
Titanium	99.5% min
Oxygen	0.08% – 0.40%
Carbon	0.03% – 0.08%
Nitrogen	0.01% – 0.05%
Hydrogen	0.005% – 0.015%
Iron	0.05% – 0.25%

These impurity levels result in retainment of high strength and corrosion resistance associated with titanium metal. Specific alloying additions can also be made to modify properties like strength.

CPTi powder is available in different purity grades depending on requirements:

CPTi Purity Grades

Grade	Purity	Particle Size	Applications
CPTi Grade 1	99.5% min	Medium, large	General use
CPTi Grade 2	99.9%	Fine, medium	Aerospace, medical
CPTi Grade 3	99.95%	Fine	Medical, dental
CPTi Grade 4	99.99%	Ultrafine	Implants, high purity uses

Higher purity reduces risk of toxicity, improves biocompatibility for medical uses. It also improves performance in high temperature applications.

However, higher purity increases cost. So suitable grade is selected based on balanced trade-off for intended application.

CPTi Powder Physical Properties

Key physical properties of CPTi powder which influence its processing and performance:

CPTi Powder Physical Properties

Properties	Values
Density	4.5 g/cc
Melting point	1668°C
Thermal conductivity	21.9 W/mK
Electrical resistivity	53.8 ohm-cm
Young’s modulus	107 GPa
Poisson’s ratio	0.33
Mohs hardness	6
Oxidation resistance	Up to 590°C in air

• Density is quite low compared to other metals providing high strength-to-weight ratio
• Melting point is moderately high allowing use for elevated temperature applications
• Thermal conductivity is lower than other metals like aluminum or copper
• Electrical resistivity is relatively high making it suitable for corrosion resistant fasteners and connectors
• Hardness is similar to other titanium alloys but lower than high hardness metals
• Oxidation resistance improves with higher purity levels

These properties make CPTi suitable for lightweight structural parts needing high mechanical performance and corrosion resistance.

CPTi Powder Mechanical Properties

Mechanical properties represent the strength, hardness, and workability of the material. Important mechanical properties:

CPTi Powder Mechanical Properties

Properties	Values
Tensile strength	420 – 550 MPa
Yield strength	380 – 470 MPa
Elongation	15 – 30%
Hardness	200-240 HV
Fatigue strength	200-300 MPa

• Tensile and yield strength are moderately high while elongation is reasonable
• Fatigue strength is excellent compared to other competing materials
• Hardness is similar or slightly lower than titanium alloys
• Properties depend on factors like purity, porosity, processing method
• Alloying with elements like Al, V, Mo can significantly increase the strength

The combination of good strength, ductility, fatigue life, and hardness provides balanced mechanical performance.

CPTi matches or exceeds the properties of stainless steels at a lower density. It offers the optimum trade-off between high strength and moderate ductility.

CPTi Powder Applications

CPTi powder is used across several industries owing to its excellent properties:

CPTi Powder Applications

Industry	Application Examples
Aerospace	Engine components, airframe parts, fasteners
Medical	Implants, prosthetics, instruments
Automotive	Valves, connecting rods, springs
Chemical	Pumps, valves, tanks, pipes
3D printing	Aerospace and medical components
Metal injection molding	Dental instruments, hardware
Investment casting	Turbine blades, golf club heads

Some specific product applications include:

• Orthopedic and dental implants
• Surgical instruments and bio-implants
• Lightweight automotive engine parts like connecting rods
• Aerospace hydraulic tubing and components like bushings
• Food/chemical industry valves, pumps, pipes
• Watch cases, jewelry
• Sporting goods like golf clubs, bicycle frames
• Additive manufacturing of aerospace and medical parts

The non-toxic property allows use in products which come in contact with food, pharmaceuticals, and biological fluids.

Overall, CPTi powder provides the best balance of properties for lightweight structural parts across multiple industries.

CPTi Powder Specifications

Industrial specifications and standards are used to evaluate CPTi powder quality and to ensure performance consistency:

CPTi Powder Standards

Standard	Description
ASTM B348	Standard specification for titanium and titanium alloy powders
ASTM F67	Standard specification for unalloyed titanium bars for surgical implants
ISO 5832-2	Implant grade wrought titanium materials

These standards specify requirements for:

• Chemical composition – percentages of titanium and impurity levels
• Physical properties like particle size distribution, flow rate, density
• Mechanical properties like tensile and yield strength
• Production method like argon gas atomization
• Quality assurance through sampling, testing and inspection
• Packaging and identification requirement

Reputable CPTi powder manufacturers produce material per ASTM standards and provide certification of compliance for critical applications.

CPTi Powder Particle Sizes

CPTi powder is produced in different particle size distributions based on application method:

CPTi Powder Particle Sizes

Particle size	Typical size range	Applications
Fine	1-25 microns	Investment casting, MIM
Medium	25-45 microns	Press and sinter, HIP
Coarse	45-150 microns	Thermal and cold spraying

• Fine powder provides high sintered density and surface finish
• Coarse powder has better flowability and is used for thermal spraying
• Medium size range offers a balance suitable for press-and-sinter
• Size distribution is optimized based on final part properties needed
• Spherical morphology is maintained across all size ranges

Controlling particle size distribution and morphology is critical to achieve high powder packing density and sintered part quality.

CPTi Powder Apparent Density

Apparent density or tap density indicates the packed density of powder:

CPTi Powder Apparent Density

Apparent Density	Characteristics
2.7 – 3.0 g/cc	Unalloyed CPTi powder
3.0 – 3.2 g/cc	Alloyed CPTi powder
Up to 50% of true density	Due to voids between particles

• Higher apparent density improves powder flow and compressibility
• Alloying elements like Al, V increase particle density
• Values up to 60% are possible with optimized powder
• High apparent density reduces press cycle time and improves part quality

Maximizing apparent density allows efficient powder pressing and sintering to full density. It improves manufacturing productivity.

CPTi Powder Production Methods

CPTi powder is commercially produced via gas atomization process using high purity Ti bars/rods:

CPTi Powder Production

Method	Details
Gas atomization	High pressure argon gas disintegrates molten Ti stream into fine droplets, which solidify into spherical powder
Vacuum arc melting	High purity Ti input stock is refined to reduce gaseous impurities like O, N, H
Multiple melting	Ensures chemical homogeneity of raw material
Sieving	Classifies powder into different particle size distributions
Blending	Powders with different particle sizes are mixed in optimized ratios

• Gas atomization enables large scale production of spherical CPTi powder
• Multiple steps produce high purity powder with controlled size and morphology
• Argon gas prevents contamination during atomization
• Post-processing provides customized powder grades for clients

Highly automated equipment allows efficient CPTi powder production with tight control over all attributes like purity, particle size distribution, morphology, and apparent density.

CPTi Powder Pricing

CPTi powder pricing depends on various factors:

CPTi Powder Pricing

Factor	Impact
Purity	Price increases for higher purity
Particle size	Ultrafine powder is more expensive
Quantity	Price reduces for bulk order quantities
Production method	Multiple remelts increase cost
Packaging	Argon filled cylinders cost more
Testing/certification	Additional cost for more rigorous testing
Lead time	Faster delivery increases price

Indicative pricing for medium particle size powder:

• CPTi Grade 1: $50-$100 per kg
• CPTi Grade 2: $100-$150 per kg
• CPTi Grade 3: $150-$300 per kg
• CPTi Grade 4: $300+ per kg

Reduced prices are typical for bulk orders exceeding several hundred kgs.

CPTi Powder Suppliers

Popular suppliers of CPTi Powder include:

CPTi Powder Suppliers

Company	Location
Advanced Powders & Coatings	USA
Atlantic Equipment Engineers	USA
Reading Alloys, Inc.	USA
TLS Technik GmbH & Co.	Germany
AP&C	Canada
Xi’an Saite Metal Materials	China

Factors to consider when selecting supplier:

• powder grade options
• average particle size ranges
• production capacity
• powder morphology and consistency
• packaging options
• lead time and delivery
• pricing
• compliance with ASTM standards
• inspection and testing processes
• quality assurance and control

CPTi Powder Handling and Safety

Safe powder handling practices should be followed:

CPTi Powder Handling

Recommendation	Reason
Avoid inhalation	Due to small particle size
Use protective masks	Prevent ingestion through nose/mouth
Conduct handling in ventilated areas	Reduce airborne powder circulation
Use hazmat suits in large operations	Minimize skin contact
Ensure no ignition sources nearby	Powder can combust in oxygen atmosphere
Follow anti-static protocols	Prevent accidental fire due to buildup of static charge
Use non-sparking tools	Avoids possibility of ignition during handling
Store sealed containers in cool, dry area	Prevents moisture pickup and reactivity

Although CPTi powder is relatively inert compared to reactive metal powders, following precautions is necessary to mitigate safety and fire risks.

CPTi Powder Inspection and Testing

Quality testing ensures CPTi powder meets the required material specifications:

CPTi Powder Testing

Test	Details
Chemistry analysis	ICP spectroscopy verifies elemental composition
Particle size distribution	Sieve analysis determines size distribution
Apparent density	Measured as per ASTM B212 standard
Powder morphology	Scanning electron microscopy verifies spherical shape
Flow rate	Time taken for fixed powder quantity to flow through defined nozzle
Tap density	Density measured after mechanically tapping powder sample
Compressibility	Monitoring of powder bed density change during compression

Rigorous testing protocols ensure reliable and consistent high performance of CPTi powder for critical applications.

CPTi Powder Storage and Reactivity

CPTi powder has moderate reactivity:

CPTi Powder Storage

Factor	Effect
Air, oxygen	Moderate oxidation risk above 500°C
Moisture	Low corrosion rate at room temperature
Hydrocarbons	Risk of fire if allowed to contaminate powder
Acids, bases	Low corrosion rates in neutral solutions
Organic solvents	Some absorption and discoloration if immersed
Elevated temperatures	Increased reactivity with oxygen and nitrogen

Recommendations:

• Store in sealed inert gas filled containers
• Keep below 30°C temperature
• Open containers only in dry, controlled environments
• Limit contact with oxidizing acids and chlorinated hydrocarbons

With proper precautions during storage and handling, CPTi powder exhibits excellent stability and low reactivity.

Comparison With Ti-6Al-4V Alloy Powder

Ti-6Al-4V is a popular alpha-beta titanium alloy powder. Comparison with CPTi:

CPTi vs Ti-6Al-4V Powder

Parameter	CPTi Powder	Ti-6Al-4V Powder
Density	4.5 g/cc	4.42 g/cc
Tensile strength	420 – 550 MPa	950 – 1050 MPa
Ductility	15 – 30%	10 – 18%
Fatigue strength	200 – 300 MPa	500 – 600 MPa
Corrosion resistance	Excellent	Moderate
Oxidation resistance	Excellent	Good
Cost	Low	Moderate
Toxicity	None	Low
Uses	Low temperature applications, prosthetics	Aerospace components, automotive parts

• CPTi provides better ductility and oxidation resistance
• Ti-6Al-4V is stronger with higher fatigue strength
• CPTi has better bio-compatibility and corrosion resistance
• Ti-6Al-4V provides higher strength-to-weight ratio
• CPTi is more cost effective while Ti-6Al-4V offers higher performance

CPTi Powder Pros and Cons

Advantages of CPTi Powder:

• Excellent corrosion resistance
• High strength-to-weight ratio
• Good ductility and fracture toughness
• Non-toxic and biocompatible
• Non-magnetic and thermally stable
• Cost-effective compared to titanium alloys
• Can be alloyed to enhance properties
• Suitable for diverse applications across industries

Limitations of CPTi Powder:

• Relatively expensive compared to iron/steel powders
• Lower strength than titanium alloys
• Moderate high temperature oxidation resistance
• Requires protective atmospheres during processing
• Susceptible to galling and seizure in sliding contact
• Harder to machine compared to steels and aluminum alloys

CPTi Powder FAQs

Q: What are the main advantages of CPTi powder?

A: The main advantages are high strength, low density, excellent corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, thermal stability and cost-effectiveness.

Q: What are the typical applications of CPTi powder?

A: Major applications are orthopedic implants, dental implants, aerospace components, automotive parts, sporting goods, jewelry, chemical equipment, and medical devices.

Q: What are the differences between various CPTi powder grades?

A: Higher purity powder grades (grade 3 and 4) are used for medical implants and high performance applications. Lower grades provide adequate properties at lower cost for industrial uses.