EFFECTIVE DESIGN USING TITANIUM

by David K. Peacock, CEng., M.l.Corr., F.l.Mf

Summary

The effective and successful use of titanium requires
the recognition, understanding and correct application
of the unique combination of useful physical, mechanical

and corr eslS ant prope ies w ch ium
possesses These properties are considered i turn, nd
guidan 15 ven to desi Or en use and fa ricatiom

using available products and cost effective methods.

Intr i n

his paper identifies and details the principal factors to be
considered in successful and effective design using titanium. These are
mechanical and thermal performance, corrosion resistance, practical aspects
of fabrication and installation, product availability and price…

Titanium is light and strong and has a family of alloys offering
forms and properties appropriate to a wide variety of applications and
working environments. Choice of the correct alloy, product form and
manufacturing route provide the means of achieving the lowest cost design

C essful use of the metal in heat exchangers and Condensers has Confirmed
the parameters for effective heat transfer.

Titanium and its alloys are resistant to corrosion in a Wide range of
aggressive conditions. Outstanding resistance to seawater, brines, brackish
waters and chlorides is of particular importance. Product availability is

all of the industrially familiar semiffinished products and
components. Fabrication techniques for machining, forming e
other processes are well understood, and whilst different in some respects
to those used for other metals, are not to any significant extent more
costly, nor more difficult to apply successfully.

The final section of this paper gives some background information on
availability and price, and the correct approach to costing titanium in its
role as an industrial metal of ever increasing importance.

Dav1d Peacock is Director European Manufacturing and Technology, Titanium
Metals Corporation, London.