DRDO Develops High-Strength Beta Titanium Alloy On Industrial Scale For Applications In Aerospace Structural Forgings

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has indigenously developed a High Strength Metastable Beta Titanium Alloy containing Vanadium, Iron and Aluminium on industrial scale for applications in aerospace structural forgings.

The Titanium alloy has been developed by Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), a Hyderabad based laboratory of DRDO.

These alloys are already being used by many developed nations in recent times as beneficial substitute for the relatively heavier traditional Nickel-Chromium-Molybdenum (Ni-Cr-Mo) structural steels to achieve weight savings.

The excellent forgeability of high strength-to-weight ratio Titanium alloy facilitates manufacture of intricately configured components for aerospace applications with potential for significant weight savings.

Some of the components which may be forged from this alloy include slat, flap tracks, landing gear, and drop link in landing gear – among several others, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Tuesday (20 July).

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.

Furthermore, 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 too.

The DMRL has carried out raw material selection, alloy melting, thermo-mechanical processing, ultrasonics-based non-destructive evaluation (NDE), heat treatment, mechanical characterization, and type certification in active collaboration with several agencies, the ministry said.

Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has identified over 15 steel components which may be replaced by 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, the ministry added.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO and the industry for indigenous development of High Strength Metastable Beta Titanium Alloy which will be useful for aerospace structural forgings, it said.