Titanium Alloy Development Needs for Commercial Airframes

J.D. Cotton
,
R. D. Boyer
,
Gary R. Weber
,
K. D. Slattery

The Boeing Company

Research Output: Contribution to conference Paper

Abstract

There is increasing pressure on the aircraft industry to reduce both manufacturing and operating costs. The former requires reductions in component and material costs; the latter drives reduced maintenance costs and aircraft weight. Weight and cost are thus interrelated, and sometimes at odds, in the design process. Titanium is historically utilized in airframes to solve specific problems related to high temperatures, specific strength or corrosion. For graphite-reinforced composite airframe structures, the natural compatibility of titanium has led to an increase in the fraction of titanium alloys on the airframe with concordant increases in build costs. Titanium is galvanically compatible with the graphite fibers in the composite, and the coefficient of thermal expansion of titanium is closer to graphite than aluminum or steel. This has led to an evolution in the needs of the airframe industry with respect to titanium alloy properties and utilization. This paper will provide an overview of cost reduction opportunities, typical airframe applications and design drivers for titanium alloys. The intent of this paper is to relate these needs to the titanium industry so that better alloy development solutions and improved processing methods can be conceived, offered and implemented.

Bibliographic Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to conference Paper

Original language

American English

Publication milestones

Published - 2008

Publication status

Published - 2008