This year, PTG was able to support the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Baja SAE team (Rebel Racing) with several titanium donations. Below, the Rebel Racing team shares some of their feedback on working with this titanium and utilizing it in their competition.
For the UNLV Baja SAE – Rebel Racing team, last competition year (2019-2020) was the first time we integrated titanium into our vehicle designs. With our goals of aiming for the top spot of the podium in competitions, every ounce of vehicle weight that can be saved drastically helps us achieve these goals. The fabrication and material processing techniques during that time period greatly influenced our design signature when upgrading RR6 for the 2020-2021 competition year. Since the competition year of 2019-2020 was cancelled due to Covid-19 safety issues, Rebel Racer 6 (RR6) did not see much dynamic driving time during that year.
UNLV Baja SAE Rebel Racing: RR6 2019-2020 Spec
However the 2019-2020 competition year was not a complete loss for UNLV Baja SAE – Rebel Racing, during virtual design presentations we were able to take home an overall top 5 finish in all virtual presentations we competed in. Whether it was sales, design or cost presentation the usage and understanding of titanium definitely had a positive influence on our scores as we presented them during virtual presentations and the Performance Titanium Group provided our team the avenue to have a definite advantage over the virtual competition.
UNLV 2019-2020 Results
The 2019-2020 competition year was just a minor speed bump in our path and we always knew we would return back to the in-person designing, fabrication and testing for the Baja SAE series. Once our university opened to on-campus operations in August-September of 2020 for the fall semester, we were finally able to see our design(s) run as we were able to test drive RR6 through the normal testing scenarios. This testing time saw as much as 700 to 800 miles placed on the vehicle. This large amount of testing time placed endurance loads on the parts that we have never subjected our vehicles to. One instance of titanium part failure came from our front upright pins. RR6 had two front upright pins experience failure under live endurance vehicle testing.
This is the second year PTG has been able to support Harding University’s Bison Baja team with a titanium donation. We are pleased to share some of their feedback on the benefits of titanium within their vehicle, and their team’s placement in the 2021 competition.
Harding University Bison Baja would like to thank Performance Titanium Group for sponsoring us this year in the SAE Baja 2021 competition, in which we placed 1st in endurance and 4th overall at Baja SAE Arizona 2021. With the use of 6AL-4V titanium provided by PTG, we were able to manufacture many components for our vehicle this year including transfer case shafts, steering rack, toe links, braking components, and a differential spool. Despite the increase in weight of our vehicle due to the addition of a four-wheel drive system, manufacturing titanium components allowed us to reduce weight in a variety of areas around the vehicle. The titanium also increased the strength of components as opposed to using other materials such as steel or aluminum. This provided greater reliability and fatigue resistance of components, lending to our success this season. We are incredibly grateful for the support of PTG and are excited to continue diving into the potential of using titanium for other components in future vehicles.
-Alberto Quintero of Harding University Bison Baja
Baja Bison 2021 VehicleParts made from PTG’s 6AL-4V titanium donation.Additional parts made from PTG’s 6AL-4V titanium donation.Bison Baja used PTG’s titanium donation to make several components.
In December 2017, SAE released an updated and much-needed version of AMS 6931. Before we dig into some major changes in AMS 6931D, let’s take a look at where AMS 6931C left off.
AMS 6931 is a specification for titanium bar, forgings, and forging stock. AMS 6931 is specific to the 6AL-4V alloy.
AMS 6931C covered products up to 6” in diameter or least distance between parallel sides. However, it is commonly requested for products larger than 6” to be certified to AMS 6931. Since larger sizes were not specifically covered in the specification, AMS 6931C left it up to the purchaser and producer to determine what mechanical requirements could be satisfied for any products outside of the range identified in the specification. Usually manufacturers interpreted this as either (1) product manufactured in a size outside of the range of AMS 6931C would be manufactured to meet the properties of the largest size that is covered, or (2) since there are no specific requirements for products outside of the range of the specification, test results would be for information only, and not cause for rejection.
AMS 6931D recognizes that purchasers and end users are looking for assurances of what mechanical properties can be achieved in larger section sizes, by extending the coverage to 10” in diameter or least distance between parallel sides. Also, while AMS 6931C defined properties for products with a maximum cross-section of 48 square inches, AMS 6931D extends to 79 square inches. This allows titanium AMS 6931D products in this extended range to be certified without a “for information only” caveat; we now have firm requirements. For products larger than 10” diameter or least distance between parallel sides, and beyond a 79 square inch cross-section, the spec still does mandate the purchaser and producer to agree on the properties. [Read more…]
In December 2017, SAE released an updated and much-needed version of AMS 4928. Before we dig into some major changes in AMS 4928W, let’s take a look at where AMS 4928V left off.
AMS 4928 is a specification for titanium bar, wire, forgings, flash-welded rings, and drawn shapes. AMS 4928 is specific to the 6AL-4V alloy.
AMS 4928V covered products up to 6” in diameter or least distance between parallel sides. However, it is commonly requested for products larger than 6” to be certified to AMS 4928. Since larger sizes were not specifically covered in the specification, AMS 4928V left it up to the purchaser and producer to determine what mechanical requirements could be satisfied for any products outside of the range identified in the specification. Usually manufacturers interpreted this as either (1) product manufactured in a size outside of the range of AMS 4928V would be manufactured to meet the properties of the largest size that is covered, or (2) since there are no specific requirements for products outside of the range of the specification, test results would be for information only, and not cause for rejection.
AMS 4928W recognizes that purchasers and end users are looking for assurances of what mechanical properties can be achieved in larger section sizes, by extending the coverage to 10” in diameter or least distance between parallel sides. This allows titanium AMS 4928W products in this extended range to be certified without a “for information only” caveat; we now have firm requirements. For products larger than 10” diameter or least distance between parallel sides, the spec still does mandate the purchaser and producer to agree on the properties. [Read more…]
MIL-T-9047 is a classic titanium specification covering aircraft quality Titanium and Titanium Alloy Bars (Rolled or Forged) and Reforging Stock. It was cancelled in 2005 but it is so ingrained in the titanium industry, it seems it will never truly go away. This specification tends to be confusing to users, because it covers so many different types of titanium and different conditions. Rather than calling out an alloy, an old drawing may call out just a Type or a Composition. We hope the following table will aid you in procuring the right type of titanium for your requirements.
Specification MIL-T-9047 was cancelled in February 2005. The last active revision was “G”. In the cancellation notice, future acquisition was directed to SAE AMS-T-9047, which is also now cancelled. If your contract requires use of the superseding specification, refer to this discussion for help.
Since the MIL-T-9047 specification has been used for decades, often times a drawing will call out an old Composition such as MIL-T-9047 Comp 6. Using the table above, we can determine that Comp. 6 is related to the alloy 6Al-4V, and the drawing is pulling from an older revision of the specification, either Revision D or F. It is unusual to procure material whose certifications will still use these older revisions, types and compositions. The certs will most likely display this alloy as 6AL-4V, MIL-T-9047G (the most recent revision of the cancelled specification). Check with your Sales Rep if you have questions or reach us at Sales@performancetitanium.com.
In the early 1990’s, US Secretary of Defense, William J. Perry, was at the forefront of military specification reform. Perry encouraged the military to use Non-Government Standards and do away with outdated military specifications, asserting that doing so would reduce government oversight and lower costs.
This reform had a significant effect on one of the most common specifications used in titanium procurement: MIL-T-9047. This specification covers aircraft quality, commercially pure and alloyed titanium rolled/forged bar, and reforging stock products.
In February 2005, MIL-T-9047G Amendment 2 was cancelled, and superseded by SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) AMS-T-9047. AMS-T-9047 was a word-for-word translation of MIL-T-9047G AM.2, with minor editorial and format changes. AMS-T-9047 covered 16 grades of titanium, and multiple conditions, like its predecessor MIL-T-9047 did. SAE noted that the specification was too complex and would be better utilized if each spec and condition was broken out into its own AMS spec. In May 2006, AMS-T-9047A was cancelled and superseded by various specifications.
Many contracts still call out MIL-T-9047 and AMS-T-9047, and they continue to be certified by manufacturers. If your contract requires use of the superseding specification, refer to the table below pointing to the Superseding Specifications for several material designations within AMS-T-9047.
If you would like help determining which grade or specification you need, give us a call at 888-772-8984 or email sales@performancetitanium.com and we can help.
