ENGINE VALVE FOR AUTOMOBILE MADE OF TITANIUM ALLOY EXCELLENT IN HEAT RESISTANCE
The present invention provides an engine valve for an automobile made of titanium alloy which is excellent in heat resistance, which engine valve for an automobile made of titanium alloy comprises, by mass %, Al: 5.5% to less than 6.5%, Sn: 1.5% to less than 5.0%, Zr: 4.6% to less than 6.0%, Mo: 0.3% to less than 0.5%, Si: 0.35% to less than 0.60%, O: 0.05% to less than 0.14%, Fe+Ni+Cr: 0.01% to less than 0.07%, and a balance of titanium and unavoidable impurities. By being provided with such ingredients, the valve is excellent in room temperature ductility and impact resistance after high temperature exposure in addition to creep resistance and high temperature fatigue strength exceeding a conventional engine valve and can withstand use at a higher temperature and longer time than in the past.
1 . An engine valve for an automobile made of titanium alloy which is excellent in heat resistance characterized by comprising, by mass %, Al: 5.5% to less than 6.5%, Sn: 1.5% to less than 5.0%, Zr: 4.6% to less than 6.0%, Mo: 0.3% to less than 0.5%, Si: 0.35% to less than 0.60%, O: 0.05% to less than 0.14%, Fe+Ni+Cr: 0.01% to less than 0.07%, and a balance of titanium and unavoidable impurities.
2 . An engine valve for an automobile made of titanium alloy as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that an oxide hardened layer with a Vicker's hardness Hv of 500 or more is formed over at least part or all of the sliding surfaces of the surface of said engine valve by a thickness of 5 to 40 μm from the surface.
3 . An engine valve for an automobile made of titanium alloy as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that at least part or all of the sliding surfaces of the surface is covered by a hard coating of a thickness of 1 to 10 μm.
4 . An engine valve for an automobile made of titanium alloy as set forth in claim 2 characterized in that at least part or all of the sliding surfaces of the surface is covered by a hard coating of a thickness of 1 to 10 μm.