Building Grade 5 Titanium Battlebot: Materials & Tips

[NextPerception]

This year my high school entered a battlebot into Battlebots IQ and we got 6 out of over 60 battlebots but I’m not here to brag.
We had a full body spinner made out of Grade 5 (Military Grade) Titanium and 4 interchangeable Hardened S7 Tool steel Teeth each attached to the shell with 6 l9 bolts made of AISI 8640H the shell was around 4-6 inches tall (can't remember and it is the weekend right now so I don’t have the plans in front of me) It's shell is shaped simply like a hollow cylinder with no bottom. The Tip Speed of the teeth was about 343mph. during our 4 battle one of our teeth mounts broke off at the weld. We welded back that night and the next day during the 5th fight the other side’s tooth weld broke. Also a chunk of the titanium actually came out of the backend of the weld. Also their spinning s7 blade took a chunk out of the top of the side plate. See the attached picture that I threw together in paint real fast to get a visual of its makeup. (not to scale)

My question is this. What kind of harder materials or different mounting methods could we use next year that could prevent mounts from breaking off (also our teeth’s tip speed will be reaching 400 mph next year)? Also is there some way or different material we could use to prevent s7 from being able to pierce our shell?

also is their a good website I can go to to learn more about metalurgy and structural integrity?

 

[PerennialII]

... going through some 0 reply ones ...

First thing coming to mind with respect to the failure is how you actually carried out the welding ... meaning whether you had a 'good' procedure to go by (and with Ti lots of things can go wrong in that respect)?

 

[ravenprp]

First of all, congratulations on your team's success in the Battlebots IQ competition! It is always impressive to see high school students taking on such a challenging and exciting project.

In terms of materials and tips for building a Grade 5 Titanium battlebot, there are a few things to consider. First, it is important to understand the properties and limitations of the materials you are using. Grade 5 Titanium is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to corrosion, making it a popular choice for battlebots. However, it is not indestructible and can still be susceptible to damage under extreme forces.

One potential solution for preventing mounts from breaking off is to use a different type of welding or bonding method. Welding is a common method for attaching components to a titanium shell, but it may not be the best option for high-speed, high-impact applications like battlebots. Consider exploring other bonding methods such as brazing, adhesives, or mechanical fastening to see if they can provide a stronger and more durable connection.

Another option to consider is using a different grade of titanium, such as Grade 9 or Grade 23, which have even higher strength and toughness than Grade 5. However, keep in mind that these grades may also be more expensive and harder to work with.

To prevent S7 from piercing your shell, you could consider adding a layer of armor or reinforcement to the vulnerable areas. This could be in the form of a thicker titanium plate, or a different material such as hardened steel or ceramic. It is important to carefully balance the added weight with the benefits of increased protection.

As for learning more about metallurgy and structural integrity, there are many resources available online. Some good websites to check out include materialsdata.nist.gov, engineeringtoolbox.com, and asminternational.org. You can also consult with professionals in the field or attend workshops and conferences related to materials and engineering.

Overall, building a battlebot is a challenging and constantly evolving process. It's important to continuously assess and improve your design and materials to stay competitive and increase your chances of success. Good luck in your future battles!