Titanium alloy production technology, market prospects and industry development

Titanium alloy with a low density, high specific strength, corrosion resistance and good process performance, is the ideal structural materials for the aerospace engineering. Based on the microstructure of titanium alloys, it can be divided into alpha-type titanium alloys (heat-resistant titanium alloys), beta-type titanium alloys and alpha + beta-type titanium alloys. The research scopes also include the fabrication technology of titanium alloys, powder metallurgy, rapid solidification technology, and other military and civilian applications of titanium alloys. Titanium and its alloys have become the ideal structural materials used for the fuselage, and accounted for a significant part of the structural quality in most military aircrafts. Titanium's future market expectations need to be considered in the macro level market. Apart from the supply and demand trends of titanium market, it is necessary to consider the impact of technological innovations that can help to reduce the cost of titanium production. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.