Titanium is the second most common metal in aerospace industry due to its favourable properties like high strength, low density and perfect corrosion resistance. In both civil and military aerospace industry, the use of titanium has been increased in last decades. Lately, application ratio of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers to airframes and engine parts has been increasing in order to reduce aircraft fuel usage. Likewise, titanium’s demand is increasing too as it has nice compatibility with CFRP with respect to coefficient of corrosiveness and thermal expansion issues. Let’s look at the applications and uses of titanium alloys like Titanium 6242 and AMS 4919 in aerospace manufacturing industry.
Airframes - The reason behind selecting titanium for airframes is its properties like better strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistant feature, favourable mechanical properties, low galvanic corrosion, low coefficient ratio of thermal expansion, etc. Structural airframe applications like wing structures, landing gear components, springs, hydraulic tubing and critical fasteners. The titanium use in airframes manufacturing has continued to grow since 1960’s where it was in its beginnings in military aerospace industry and then ultimately moved into civil aircrafts. Titanium alloys like Titanium 6242 productively compete with aluminium, nickel and ferrous alloys in both military and commercial airframes. Titanium demand is growing for this application as new titanium alloys and manufacturing techniques are being used by the aerospace industry for airframes manufacturing.
Aircraft Engines - FlightMetals offers the best quality titanium alloys that match the stringent needs of aircraft engines like strength features and ability to withstand high temperature. Today, the largest aerospace application for titanium is gas turbine aircraft engines. Titanium’s perfect strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance and the ability to operate at high temperatures, naturally makes it the perfect choice for manufacturing aircraft engines. Titanium can work effectively on up to 1100°F (593°C). Titanium alloys like AMS 4919 make 20–30% of the engine's dry weight, most used in the compressor. Specific titanium alloys can also be used in other engine applications like blades, disc, inlet guide vanes, cases and hubs.
Helicopter - Using titanium for manufacturing helicopters is also popular and beneficial. Titanium is a perfect choice for both military and commercial helicopters as it provides service reliability as well as high strength and lightweight feature.
Military - We all know that development of the titanium industry was a work of military applications. Today, titanium is not only a metal for aerospace applications, it is also used to design many ballistic applications on global basis. Now, the defense department of many countries use titanium alloys like Titanium 6242 in large quantity as it meets the needs demanded in many applications. From 1950s, use of titanium in military applications began with the first titanium designed aircraft, the Douglas X-3 Stiletto.
Conclusion: FlightMetals with its wide inventory of titanium alloys like AMS 4904, AMS 4965, AMS 4919, AMS 6930, AMS 4911, Titanium 6242 and AMS 6931 in form of bars, pipes, sheets, rectangles and others, can effectively cater the aerospace industry requirements. Lots of aerospace OEM and MRO companies buy our products and are highly satisfied with the quality and price. We are always ready to supply you the highest quality special metals at competitive prices.