The aircraft industry is a large consumer of titanium, one of the world's premium metals. Rutile and ilmenite, the two primary minerals which contain titanium, make up 24% of the earth's crust, thus making titanium the ninth most abundant element on the planet. Despite this prominence, the process of transforming this element into a usable form is time consuming and costly. Being such a dynamic metal however, this expense is offset by the increase in material performance.

Titanium is often specified for aircraft applications because of its incredible strength and low density. Titanium is equal in strength to steel, at only 56% the weight. Furthermore, producing structures out of titanium requires far less material than, for example, using a substitute material such as stainless steel. Aircraft grade Titanium has the capability of withstanding relatively high temperatures, resisting corrosion, cracking and fatigue.

Aircraft Grade Titanium

Titanium 6AL-4V and 3AL-2.5V are two alloys that qualify as aircraft grade. 6AL-4V alloy consists of 90% titanium, 6% aluminum, and 4% vanadium. Aircraft grade titanium was developed in the 1950s and has a tensile strength of between 130,000 and 180,000 pounds per square inch.

Titanium is used in aircraft for:

• Firewalls

• Outer skin

• Landing-gear components

• Hydraulic lines

• Engine supports

Gas Turbine Engines

Within aerospace applications, titanium is used most often to make aircraft engines. When manufactured in titanium the performance of jet engine fan blades increases so dramatically that it is worth the additional cost. Titanium engine components are used in both commercial and military aircraft. Aircraft grade titanium 6AL-4V is alloyed with aluminum and vanadium for increased strength to make compressor blades, disks, and engine housings.

Titanium in Space

Because of Titanium's high strength-to-weight ratio, it is an ideal metal for spacecraft applications. NASA's extensive use of titanium began with the Mercury and Apollo spacecrafts. Titanium alloys are also used in solid rocket boosters, guidance control pressure vessels, as well as satellites.

About the Author

Brian Leonard is the international sales manager of Snappy Materials. Based in Wallingford, Connecticut, Snappy Materials is a value-added metals service center specializing in the international distribution of aerospace grade metals. With over 14 years of metals experience, Brian has a wide range of knowledge and experience in Titanium, Stainless Steel and Aluminum products. For more information on aircraft grade metals and titanium for international aerospace applications, visit www.snappymaterials.com.