At the Titanium Europe Conference 2018 held recently in Seville, Spain, Brian Mercer, Director, Tube Products and International Sales & Marketing, for AMETEK Specialty Metal Products, presented a paper entitled âIndustrial Applications for Titanium Tubing.â?
Representing Fine Tubes, a UK-based unit of AMETEK Specialty Metal Products, Mr. Mercer highlighted the businessâ long-standing expertise in the manufacture of high precision, high-performance titanium alloy tubes for critical applications. Fine Tubesâ seamless titanium tubes are used in aircraft hydraulic systems and chemical processing plants, and for offshore drilling rig components, marine and subsea equipment, and medical implants. Fine Tubes also is a member of the International Titanium Association (ITA), the organising body of the Titanium Europe Conference.
Looking at titanium in comparison to other metals, the following characteristics make it so attractive to multiple industries.
It is only 60% as dense as steel-based and nickel-based alloys, in alloyed form. Its tensile strength is greater than that of austenitic or ferritic stainless steels. It is exceptionally corrosion resistant, exceeding the resistance of stainless steels in most environments. It is non-magnetic. It has excellent heat transfer properties, with a melting point higher than steel alloys. It is cold workable. Hence, it should be no surprise, that titanium is cost effective across a wide range of applications. As a niche, high-specification manufacturer, Fine Tubes produces straight and seamless tubes in Ti CP (Commercially Pure), Grades 1 and 2, and Grades 5 and 9 alloys, Ti 6Al/4V, and Ti 3Al/2.5V respectively.
