Titanium clad plate forming: critical consideration and how different it is from solid titanium forming

Titanium offers exceptional corrosion resistance both in organic & inorganic acid media. Thus, it is a preferred material by various industries such as Oil and Gas refining, Petrochemical (PTA Plant) including Nickel refining by Hydrometallurgy. These equipment are operated at high temperature and pressure, necessitating the use of higher thickness for safety and efficient functioning. Therefore, use of solid titanium is not economical, and often substituted with explosion bonded Ti-Clad steel. Fabrication of certain components of this equipment like Dished heads are required to be made by forming with options of cold, warm or hot forming. Selection of forming method for Ti-clad steel component is often governed by its effect on Clad-Base metal bond integrity and reduction shear strength unlike other commonly used Stainless steel or Ni-based alloy clad material, wherein thickness of the base metal is major deciding factor. In case of Ti-Clad steels both cladding and base metal are not metallurgically compatible as well as differs significantly in their physical properties, forming temperature plays a crucial role. This paper describes the effect of various Dished heads forming methodology on integrity of clad plate. Also, it brings out how the Ti-clad steel forming is critical than the forming of solid Titanium.