Solar Atmospheres Stands Alone In Degassing To Titanium Aerospace Standards

A unique processing technique has earned Solar Atmospheres of Western Pennsylvania the distinction of being the only commercial heat treater listed on Boeing’s D1-4426 approved processors list for degassing titanium parts in accordance with PS15325 and PS15326.

Super Plastic Forming (SPF) is a common and cost efficient way to produce complex titanium aircraft components, but this method can have a detrimental effect on the parts. SPF involves heating titanium sheet above 1650°F and typically hydraulically pressing the sheet between two molds. However, if the SPF is not performed in a vacuum or in a controlled atmosphere, the hydrogen parts per million (PPM) can increase tremendously which could lead to hydrogen embrittlement of the flight critical part.

Fortunately, the reaction of hydrogen infused into reactive titanium is reversible by heating above 1250°F in a vacuum furnace of one micron or less. Typically, when single digit ppm’s of hydrogen levels are required on a finished formed part, vacuum levels of 10^-6 torr must be attained!

The pictured part has extremely high hydrogen levels due to the SPF process and a final chemical etch during downstream processing. On this project, Solar was able to reduce the PPM of hydrogen from 160 ppm to below 9 PPM, thereby increasing the strength and making the product aerospace compliant.

Solar Atmospheres can degas your parts to the most stringent requirements in the aerospace industry. With the largest size commercial vacuum furnace available in the U.S., high-tech techniques, and world-class equipment; Solar stands ready to meet your degassing challenges.