Cheaper titanium

While titanium sports the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal, it has always been too expensive for all but the most specialised applications.

That could soon change, however, with a new process that has been developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and its industry partners.

The new processing technique could reduce the amount of energy required, and hence the cost to make, titanium parts from powders by up to 50 percent, making it feasible to use titanium alloys for brake rotors, artificial joint replacements and armour for military vehicles.

ORNL has already used the process to make a new low-cost titanium alloy door for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, a next generation combat vehicle. 'By using a titanium alloy for the door, BAE Systems was able to reduce the weight of its vehicle yet at the same time decrease the threat of armour-piercing rounds,' said Bill Peter, a researcher in ORNL's Materials Science and Technology Division.