Relevance

Nowadays the metallurgical industry remains the absolute leader in the volume of titanium application. Here mostly non-standard equipment is fabricated and used. Titanium alloys surpass stainless acid-resistant steels with regard to such properties as corrosion resistance in aggressive media and specific strength.

Non-ferrous metallurgy applications

titanium which itself is a product of non-ferrous metallurgy contributes to obtaining high quality metals and technical progress in this industry. Employees of the Titanium Institute Y.V. Dobrunov, A.A. Zakharevich, E.D. Filippova, G.A. Kolobov and others conducted numerous studies. It was proved that in non-ferrous metallurgy titanium improves product quality and working conditions, increases productivity and facilitates automation. It can be used for manufacturing of large-size critical equipment. Application of titanium in the form of ceramic-metal or cast products (pumps, fittings) remains highly efficient. For example, replacement of cast iron and steel pumps for pumping solutions of sodium, potassium and magnesium with titanium ones has allowed to decrease the losses by 2.5 times and increase the service life of pumps by 15-20 times. Applying titanium products in non-ferrous metallurgy, companies obtain real economy due to increase of reliability and service life of equipment, improvement of product quality and decrease of operating costs. Titanium equipment is more widespread in titanium-magnesium and nickel-cobalt industries. Not so long ago active introduction of titanium in copper production also started. And in non-ferrous metal processing and tungsten, mercury, zinc, cadmium, tin, lead, aluminum, gold and other precious metal production facilities, titanium has just begun to gain acceptance.

Conclusions

Today in non-ferrous metallurgy (not including nickel-cobalt industry) the very first stage of titanium implementation is the replacement of equipment, usually auxiliary, which does not have much impact on the parameters of important technological processes. At the next stage, titanium will be used to manufacture the main equipment for entire shops. In this case, the advantages of titanium will be maximally explored, it is planned to considerably intensify the old technological processes and create new and more efficient ones. In this case the economic return from the introduction of new equipment increases. Detailed analysis and experimental studies have shown that non-ferrous metallurgy has broad perspectives for comprehensive utilization of titanium.

Ferrous metallurgy

Compared to stainless steel, titanium is advantageous when taking into account aggressive environment in coke-chemical, metallurgical, steelmaking and ferroalloy plants. Titanium increases the service life of equipment, intensifies the existing technological processes and introduces new ones, produces a higher quality product that is not contaminated by corrosion.

Coke-chemical production

A number of aggressive gases, alkalis and acids are used here that sharply reduce service life of pipelines and devices. If even a minor apparatus breaks down, the entire production line must be shut down. A corrosion resistance of titanium is suited best of all for by-product coke production, as in multicomponent aggressive environments it is more resistant in comparison with high-alloy stainless steels. For example in a mother liquor corrosion resistance of BT1-1 alloy is ten times higher than that of Х18Н10Т steel, and the titanium equipment surface is corroded evenly, while in case of stainless steel it is subjected to intensive pitting corrosion. Application of titanium crystallizers, pipelines, pumps and other equipment at Zaporozhye coke-processing plant showed that replacement of cheaper but less corrosion-resistant materials with titanium is economically feasible. At the same plant in the sulfate department of the recovery shop titanium pumps ТН-70 made at Zaporozhye Titanium and Magnesium Plant demonstrated excellent resistance. These pumps were in operation for six months without repair, while the cast-iron ones only lasted two months in the same conditions.

Corrosion resistance

It is profitable to produce from titanium centrifuges, circulating pans, pipelines, barbotage umbrellas, saturators and other equipment of the trapping shop, where according to research data the annual corrosion rate of this metal is 0,002-0,03 mm. Corrosion rate in hydrogen sulphide solution, cyanic acid, 15% phenol solution, 10% NaOH, and ammonia at t° of 100-140°C is less than 0.5mm per year. Taking such figures into account, pyridine base condensers and neutralization cubes made of titanium last 5-15 years, by comparison, the existing scrubbers made of carbon steel can last only a year and a half.

The majority of hardware, pipe-rolling, metallurgical, steel-wire-rod and steel-rolling plants have pickling sections responsible for descaling the metal surface. Typically, equipment is made of carbon steel, using gumming and lining with acid-proof brick, which, however, does not provide long-term operation. The equipment lasts no more than three years. This is due to the low mechanical properties and poor corrosion resistance of stainless steel and other materials used. Even high-alloy stainless steels are prone to pitting, especially in the weld area.

Recommendations

Titanium Institute specialists carried out a series of tests at Zaporizhstal, which allowed them to recommend titanium for the manufacture of ventilation system pipelines, spent pickling solutions drainage and other pickling area equipment. The titanium pipeline for used pickling solutions discharge without traces of corrosion lasts about a year, while the commonly used gummed pipeline made of carbon steel becomes unusable in one and a half to three months. Despite the significant costs of installing titanium piping, this solution will provide a significant economic benefit. Such pipeline will serve for years, as the corrosion rate in the spent solutions does not exceed 0,01-0,05 mm per year.

The rubberized steel side drains, ventilation pipes and air pipelines have an extremely short service life. Very quickly in the places of flange joints leakage occurs, which subsequently leads to the destruction of the pipelines themselves, as well as the foundations of buildings and structures. If the entire ventilation system is made of titanium, the operating costs can be significantly reduced and the service life and working conditions can be improved. In an atmosphere of pickling vapor, the corrosion rate of titanium is 0.002-0.006 mm per year. For comparison, stainless steel Х18Н10Т or Х21Н5Т is subject to pitting corrosion in pickling solution vapors, the rate of which reaches 0,5-0,9 mm per year.

Buy, price

The company Evek GmbH sells rolled metal products at the best price. It is formed taking into account LME rates (Londonmetal exchange) and depends on the technological characteristics of production without including additional costs. We supply a wide range of products made of titanium and its alloys. All products have quality certificate for compliance with standards requirements. With us you can buy in bulk the most various equipment for large-scale productions. A wide choice, comprehensive consulting of our managers, reasonable prices and prompt delivery determine the face of our company. There is a system of discounts for wholesale purchases