Titanium Alloys

Although originally discovered in the 18th century [1], the titanium industry did not experience any significant advancement until the middle of the 20th century through the development of the gas turbine engine [2]. Since then, the aerospace sector has dominated worldwide titanium use with applications in both engines and airframe structures [3]. The highly desirable combination of properties, which include excellent corrosion resistance, favourable strength to weight ratios, and an impressive resistance to fatigue, has led to an extensive range of applications [4], with only high extraction and processing costs still restricting further implementation. Whilst the aerospace industry faces challenges related to increasing operating temperatures and to fully utilise polymer-based composites in future designs [5], innovative solutions, including metal matrix composites and titanium aluminides, provide pathways for future development. Furthermore, improvements in extractive metallurgy and processing methods have made titanium-based alloys more accessible to alternative industrial sectors. Industries currently utilising these materials include sports, biomedical, and marine sectors [6]. As more traditional applications are supplemented by exciting new opportunities, it is clear that extensive research opportunities are likely to exist in the titanium industry for the foreseeable future.