Application of titanium in family cars and recent trends
Due to its excellent properties, titanium is increasingly used in a large number of applications in automobiles, although its high price has hindered its application. The following section focuses on the current status and recent trends in the application of titanium in family automobiles, and introduces two applications that have become breakthroughs in expanding applications.
The excellent characteristics of titanium metal are mainly high strength, low density, and excellent corrosion resistance, and can be used in the power transmission and chassis parts of automobiles. These uses are mainly for titanium is a lightweight alloy, and can replace stainless steel, car weight reduction is expected to improve the performance of the car itself.
The weight reduction is very flexible for car design, which is important for both sports cars and family cars. So far, manufacturers of sports car engines have chosen titanium as a raw material for the lightweighting of automotive valves and connecting shafts. The improvement in performance is reflected in the reduction of torque, power output and deformation of the connecting parts.
The advantages of using titanium in automobiles are: power transmission effect or weight reduction, fuel saving, reduction of engine noise and vibration, and reduction of component load, which improves the durability of the car. Titanium can be used in car parts as valves, connecting shafts, valve springs and their supporting appliances.
The use of titanium in places other than the engine: for example, the use of titanium in the chassis of the car can reduce the weight of the car and save fuel. The most notable is the use of titanium for suspension springs, exhaust devices, crankshafts and other fasteners in components. The biggest obstacle to the extensive use of titanium in sports cars and cars is still the price issue.
The beginning of the mass use of titanium in automobiles is the adoption of titanium for special parts. Of course, it is not yet possible to consider the replacement of titanium plates, which are 50 to 100 times more expensive, by steel plates for the body of the car, and the use of parts for special places developed will be expanded by the development of design and production technology in the future, and new special uses can be considered. The problem that should be solved is the transition from special status to mass production of titanium parts by cutting costs. The Fray method, which is currently in the experimental stage, is likely to be a very promising new technology. In the current situation, powder metallurgy technology and 1 time melting technology (cold bed EB melting or plasma technology, etc.) are expected to reduce the cost of titanium products. It is also possible to reduce costs if manufacturers of titanium materials enter into long-term price contracts with customers. Stable supply and quality assurance of titanium for automobiles is also essential by utilizing large facilities for steel production as much as possible.
