Beta enhanced titanium alloys and methods of manufacturing beta enhanced titanium alloys

Abstract

An α-β titanium alloy, comprising aluminum, vanadium, and molybdenum. The α-β titanium alloy comprises between 5.0 wt % and 8.0 wt % aluminum (Al), between 1.0 wt % and 5.5 wt % Vanadium (V), and between 0.75 wt % and 2.5 wt % molybdenum (Mo). The α-β titanium alloy having a density between 4.35 g/cc and 4.50 g/cc.

1 . A method of forming a golf club head assembly, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a sheet formed from an α-β titanium alloy, the α-β titanium alloy comprising between 5.0 wt % and 8.0 wt % aluminum (Al), between 1.0 wt % and 5.5 wt % Vanadium (V), between 0.75 wt % and 2.5 wt % molybdenum (Mo), and a Ti balance;   (b) laser-cutting the sheet to form a desired shape of a faceplate of the golf club head assembly;   (c) aligning the faceplate with a recess of a club head of the golf club head assembly;   (d) welding the faceplate to the club head to form the golf club head assembly;   (e) heating the golf club head assembly to a temperature below a solvus temperature of the faceplate for a predetermined amount of time, wherein the solvus temperature is between 800° C. and 1000° C.;   (f) cooling the golf club head assembly with inert gas;   (g) heating the golf club head assembly to a temperature between 500° C. and 700° C. for a predetermined amount of time; and   (h) cooling the golf club head assembly with inert gas and air.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the α-β titanium alloy further comprises between 0.2 wt % to 1.0 wt % iron (Fe), between 0.1 wt % to 0.2 wt % Silicon (Si) and 0.15 wt % or less Oxygen (O). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the welding of step (d) comprises a pulse plasma welding process. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inert gas of step (f) is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen (N), argon (Ar), helium (He), neon (Ne), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and a compound gas thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inert gas of step (f) comprises Nitrogen. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the faceplate of step (b) comprises a minimum thickness of 0.065 inches (0.1651 cm). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the faceplate of step (b) comprises a thickness between 0.065 inches (0.1651 cm) and 0.100 inches (2.54 cm). 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (e) comprises heating the golf club head assembly at or below 950° C. for between 1 hour and 2 hours. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (e) comprises heating the golf club head assembly between 800° C. and 950° C. for between 1 hour and 2 hours. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (e) comprises heating the golf club head assembly between 800° C. and 900° C. for between 1 hour and 2 hours. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (g) comprises heating the club head and the faceplate at or below 620° C. for between 4 hours and 8 hours. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the α-β titanium alloy comprises a density between 4.410 g/cc and 4.425 g/cc. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the α-β titanium alloy comprises a young's modulus between 15.4 Mpsi and 16.9 Mpsi. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the α-β titanium alloy comprises a minimum yield strength between 150 ksi and 160 ksi. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the α-β titanium alloy comprises a minimum tensile strength between 157 ksi and 170 ksi. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the α-β titanium alloy comprises a minimum elongation between 4.5% and 8.0%.