Aerospace
Why choose titanium ?
Titanium is an alloy increasingly used in the space industry. It is found in particular in centrifugal impellers which are subjected to cryogenic temperatures on one side and to those of combustion on the other, and which require a strong and solid alloy. Titanium is also used in the construction of propellant gas tanks for satellites due to its good cryogenic properties and its resistance to the corrosion of propellant gases.
- Excellent resistance to erosion and corrosion
- High mechanical properties up to 600°C and good adhesion to coatings
- High electrical and thermal conductivity
- Lightness
- Amagnetic
Aerometals & Alloys supplies many sectors of the space industry
Titanium is in high demand for the manufacture of rockets as it offers very good material reliability.
For the propulsion of certain parts such as centrifugal impellers subjected to cryogenic temperatures on the one hand (liquid H2 temperature) and combustion temperatures on the other, it is common for designers to use plates, tubes, bars and sheets made of pure titanium or titanium alloy.
As titanium is a metal that is weakly subject to magnetism, it is embarked on space stations in the form of tools.
These are the same tools which, in weightlessness, move close to electronic equipment, without the risk of generating arcs and electromagnetic disturbances.
The first constraint of a spatial structure being its mass, composite materials such as carbon fibre or aramid fibre, known for their lightness, rigidity and thermal resistance, are used. Sufficiently light equipment is fixed by riveting or gluing, hence the massive use of titanium thanks to its low coefficient of expansion.
The additive manufacturing known as 3D printing, will revolutionise satellite manufacturing through the new part design. Aerometals & Alloys has therefore become a major stockist of powder for its revolutionary applications.
