TPi November 2018

Products & developments

Ametek SMP promotes titanium capabilities at air show

to develop, drawing on the material’s corrosion resistance. These non- aerospace applications now account for around 50 per cent of worldwide titanium metal consumption.

Plymouth in the south-west of England is close to the birthplace of titanium – first discovered nearly 230 years ago. In 1790, in the heart of Cornwall in the UK, hobby geologist Rev William Gregor found manaccanite ore in a stream near the village Manaccan, after which the ore was named. Because of its strength, unique density and corrosion resistance, titanium has found applications in many industries. For high-quality tubing products, for example, it is often a more suitable choice than competing materials like stainless steels or super alloys. The density of titanium is about 60 per cent that of steel- or nickel-based alloys, giving significant weight savings in aerospace structures. Its tensile strength is better than that of austenitic or ferritic stainless steels. Titanium is exceptionally corrosion resistant and exceeds the resistance of stainless steels in most environments. The metal is also non-magnetic and has good heat transfer properties, with a melting point higher than steel alloys. Titanium metal was first used as a material for military aerospace in the 1950s. In the 1960s its use expanded to commercial aerospace airframes and gas turbine engines. In the 1970s, non-aerospace applications began

SMP exhibited at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow

Ametek Specialty Metal Products (SMP) exhibited at the Farnborough International Airshow this year, taking advantage of the opportunity to promote its capabilities in manufacturing products in titanium for critical aerospace applications. SMP products range from high-purity powders and master alloys to high- precision strip, foil and wire, as well as high-performance metal tubes. The four SMP brands – Fine Tubes, Hamilton Precision Metals, Reading Alloys and Superior Tube – were represented at Farnborough. Reading Alloys was instrumental in the development of many of the titanium alloys available today, including Ti 6A/4V. Its master alloys and powder coatings are increasingly used for the development and manufacture of next- generation aerospace components. UK-based Fine Tubes and its USA-based sister company Superior Tube produce straight and seamless tubes in Ti CP, Grades 1 and 2, Grade 5 (Ti 6Al/4V) and

Grade 9 (Ti 3Al/2.5V). Both companies are experienced in the conditioning, welding, machining, polishing and other processes required to convert a specific grade of titanium into a product that can deal with challenging conditions. Fine Tubes, for example, is among the few suppliers qualified to produce the high-pressure titanium tubes used in the hydraulic systems of the Airbus A380, designed to withstand pressures of up to 5,000 psi. Hamilton Precision Metals, as a re-roller of metal strip, foil and ultra-thin foil, rolls 0.0025 to 0.01mm (0.0001" to 0.0004") precision brazing foil in various titanium alloys for use in the production of jet engine fan blades and housings. In addition, Ametek SMP in Wallingford, Connecticut, USA, manufactures titanium wire for locking collars on aircraft. Ametek Specialty Metal Products – USA www.ametekmetals.com

Efficiency and uniformity in PVC-O pipelines With ecoFITTOM ® Molecor offers a continuous system in PVC-O; the material continuity ensures the same hydraulic and mechanical properties in the different elements of the network – in the pipes as well as in the fittings. The system is immune to corrosion and to chemical aggressions from micro- and macro-organisms. In addition, PVC-O pipes and fittings do not require any type of external or internal protection or coating against corrosion, unlike metallic fittings.

The quality of the conveyed water remains unaltered, meeting the health standards for water for human consumption. PVC-O’s capacity to endure water hammer is high. In plastic systems this effect can be up to four times lower than in systems made of other materials.

No heavy machinery is required for their installation. The ecoFITTOM fittings can be installed manually up to DN315mm

ecoFITTOM allows for more homogene- ous hydraulic networks in terms of the materials that form them. This guar- antees a complete watertightness of the unions and a decrease in eventual breakages and leakages.

(12"), reducing installation times. Molecor Tecnologia SL – Spain

info@molecor.com www.molecor.com

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November 2018 TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL