DRDO develops high strength Titanium alloy for aerospace industry

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has indigenously developed a High Strength Metastable Beta Titanium Alloy that can be used in forging aerospace structures. The metal contains Vanadium, Iron and Aluminium.

These alloys are already being used by many developed nations in recent times as a beneficial substitute for the relatively heavier traditional Nickel-Chromium-Molybdenum structural steels to achieve weight savings. The forgeability of high strength-to-weight ratio Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al alloy facilitates the manufacture of components for aerospace applications.

According to DRDO, the high strength beta titanium alloys are unique due to their higher strength, ductility, fatigue, and fracture toughness making them increasingly attractive for aircraft structural applications.

The Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) has carried out raw material selection, alloy melting, thermo-mechanical processing, ultrasonics-based Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE), heat treatment, mechanical characterisation.

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"Their relatively lower lifetime cost, owing to superior corrosion resistance in comparison to steels, is an effective trade-off to justify the use of this expensive material in India," DRDO said in a statement.

Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has identified over 15 steel components that may be replaced by Metastable Beta Titanium alloy forgings in the near future with a potential of 40 per cent weight savings.

The landing gear drop link is the first component forged successfully by ADA at HAL, Bengaluru with DMRL’s involvement and duly certified for airworthiness.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and the industry for the indigenous development of the high strength alloy, which will be useful for the aerospace industry.