|
Boeing is planning to build nearly 31,000 airplanes over the
next 20 years. Airbus estimates similar demand for its passenger jets and
freight haulers. These corporate combatants in the world's "Airliner War" have their
differences, of course, but both understand that jet engines require specialty metals
– and lots of them. In especially complex and efficient jet engine designs,
specialty alloys made of titanium, nickel and other metals account for 95% of the
total weight. Superalloys for turbine blades are also an important part of the
aerospace supply chain.
As the global economy improves, the aircraft industry will need
over 2.5-million more jet engines in 2013 than in 2010. For a metals industry
that's more than ready for the Great Recession to end, the projected surge in
demand is heady news. Already, specialty metals suppliers such as ATI and
Carpenter Technology are boosting their production capacities. According to
industry experts, demand will be driven not only by the fast-growing economies
of China and India, but also by the desire of North American and European airlines
to purchase more fuel-efficient jet engines.
Long before design flaws and production problems delayed the
Boeing 787 program, however, a shortage of aerospace fasteners plagued the
next-generation airliner. Even with the efforts of companies like ATI and
Carpenter Technology, could a shortage of specialty alloys tip the balance of
power in the Airliner War?
Source: Design
News and Flightglobal
| 
Re: Specialty Alloys and the Airliner War
"Almost" Good Answers: