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Molybdenum TZM is a highly specialized alloy with unique properties, making it ideal for extreme environments. Its main constituents are molybdenum, zirconium, and titanium. The alloy comes in several forms, with each type optimized for specific applications. Here's a closer look at the most common types:
Bar and Rod
Molybdenum TZM bars and rods are essential for high-temperature applications like furnace components, nozzles, and tooling. Their strength and resistance to deformation make them ideal for these harsh environments. Bar stock can also be machined into custom components, which are needed in many industries.
Sheet and Plate
Molybdenum TZM sheet and plate are mainly used for structural components in high-temperature furnaces. These include heating elements and electrode components. The sheets are flexible enough to be formed into complex shapes, yet strong enough to retain structural integrity under extreme heat.
Wire
Molybdenum TZM wire is primarily used for gas-discharge lamps, welding electrodes, and high-temperature furnace wiring. It maintains its shape and conductivity. In addition, it retains its mechanical properties even at elevated temperatures, which makes it suitable for these applications.
Cylinder
Cylinders are mainly used for molten metal processing. Molybdenum TZM has a very high melting point, and TZM performs exceptionally well in these applications by retarding wear while maintaining temperature resistance. The combination of molybdenum and TZM makes these cylinders ideal for metal casting, glass melting, and other high-temperature processes.
TZM Alloys
There are various grades of TZM, such as C103, C104, and C105, based on the titanium and zirconium contents. Each grade comes with slight variations in mechanical properties, making them suitable for specific applications wherein the alloy is mainly exposed to different thermal cycles. For instance, C103 is typical for aerospace components that require high strength at temperatures above 1,600°C, while C104 can be used in steelmaking for its balance of strength and ductility at lower temperatures.
Molybdenum TZM is a molybdenum alloy reinforced with a small percentage of titanium and zirconium. They have some very unique features that make them extremely useful. Here are some key features of molybdenum alloys:
High melting point
Molybdenum TZM has a high melting point, which makes it suitable for applications involving high temperatures. For example, molybdenum TZM maintains its strength and does not deform when exposed to temperatures above 1,600°C. This is the reason it's commonly used in aerospace and nuclear applications.
High strength
Even at elevated temperatures, the strength of TZM molybdenum alloy does not reduce. Instead, it becomes tougher and harder. This increased strength makes TZM especially useful for components that need to sustain mechanical loads at high heat, such as furnace linings and missile nozzles.
Wear resistance
Molybdenum TZM also has very high wear resistance. It is able to withstand extreme temperatures while maintaining its shape and size. Its wear resistance makes it ideal for high-temperature structural components like mold tools, as it undergoes minimal erosion over time.
Thermal expansion
In addition to its other remarkable features, TZM has a relatively low co-efficient of thermal expansion. This makes it maintain dimensional stability even as it undergoes exposure to extreme temperatures. For example, a TZM component will not warp or expand excessively in a furnace environment. This makes it ideal for aerospace components that have to maintain very tight dimensional tolerances.
Creep resistance
Creep is the gradual deformation of materials over time in application under stress or at high temperatures. Regardless of long molybdenum TZM exposure to high temperatures, it undergoes very negligible creep.
High thermal conductivity
Molybdenum TZM has high thermal conductivity. This helps it dissipate heat quickly and efficiently. It makes it suitable for applications that require heat management, such as furnace components and electrical contacts.
Aerospace
Molybdenum TZM has a very high melting point, strength, and elasticity. This makes it useful for aircraft engines, rocket nozzles, and other components exposed to extreme heat. For example, molybdenum TZM engine components can withstand the intense temperatures of combustion without deforming or losing strength. This improves the overall safety and reliability of aerospace systems.
Nuclear Power
Molybdenum TZM is used in nuclear reactors as structural components and fuel claddings. It is able to endure the high levels of radiation and the heat generated by the nuclear fuel. This makes it ideal for reactor cores and control rods. In addition, molybdenum electrical contacts are also used in nuclear power plants.
Metallurgy
Ionized molybdenum is used in various high-temperature furnaces in the production and processing of metals. Molybdenum TZM components such as billets, rods, and extrusions maintain their integrity under heat and wear. For example, furnace linings made of TZM have longer service lifetimes due to their wear and thermal fatigue resistance.
Molding
The very high melting point of TZM molybdenum alloys allows them to be used as alloys in glass and ceramic molding. For example, TZM mold dies can be used to form glass at its melting point without the mold itself deteriorating. This allows for precise molding of materials in applications ranging from electronics to architecture.
Tooling
Molybdenum TZM is also used for making high-performance cutting tools and dies. TZM alloys maintain their hardness and cutting edges even at the very high temperatures generated during machining hard materials. This is ideal for machining titanium alloys used in aerospace and automotive applications.
Thermal properties
To select the right molybdenum TZM alloy for a task, users should consider the thermal properties of the alloy. Alloys with higher zirconium contents, like TZM-2Z, have better recrystallization resistance than others. They are also better wear-resistant.
Mechanical properties
Various molybdenum TZM alloys have different tensile strength, hardness, and elongation specifications. Users should always analyze these properties and choose an alloy with the required tensile strength. Those going for high-temperature usage should go for TZM alloys with better strength retention and ductility. They are also elongation percentages.
Fabrication and machining
Molybdenum TZM alloys have different levels of workability owing to the differences in their zirconium and titanium alloy contents. Those with more zircons have poorer workability. Users should analyze the machining processes they intend to apply to the alloys and select an alloy that meets the fabrication technique requirements.
Corrosion resistance
If the users intend to use the molybdenum TZM alloy in corrosive environments, they should consider adding a small percentage of alloys like nickel or rhenium. Also, those alloys are effective if the task at hand involves contact with reactive materials.
Purity
Users should decide on purity depending on the application requirements. Generally, high-purity molybdenum TZM alloys provide better mechanical and thermal properties. They also have less impurity-related degradation. Accounts also make purity a key factor when selecting materials for electronic and semiconductor industries.
Yes. Molybdenum TZM alloys can be used for 3D printing. However, users should note that the process requires special techniques. This is because of the high melting point and workability difficulties.
Zirconium is a key additive in molybdenum TZM alloys. It improves the alloys’ grain structure at high temperatures. This leads to enhanced mechanical properties like strength and creep resistance.
The main difference between TZM and molybdenum is that molybdenum alloy incorporates small amounts of titanium and zirconium. While TZM improves the alloys’ strength, wear, and corrosion resistance.
TZM processing requires attention to the thermomechanical treatment process. It greatly influences the final alloy properties. So, a proper quenching and aging process should be conducted.
Yes. There are a number of industrial standards like ASTM and military specifications. They define permissible compositions and determine the physical and mechanical properties of molybdenum TZM alloys.