Application of titanium and its alloys for automobile parts

Abstract

Some of the R & D activities by Nippon Steel on the application of titanium materials for automobile parts were introduced. Regarding exhaust pipes and mufflers, various material data needed to successfully handle commercially pure titanium was extensively accumulated while the manufacturing process by which products can show high performance inherent in titanium such as surface appearances was established. Regarding engine valves, both intake and exhaust valves having high wear resistance, high fatigue strength and high heat resistance were developed, which can be applied even in motorcycles with higher power engines. As a result of those activities, a lot of advantages of titanium usage including lightweight and high strength have become utilized in both many motorcycles and four-wheeled vehicles. In addition, to further enhance the use of titanium in automobiles, low-cost alloys such as Super-TIX series were newly developed, and it is strongly expected that more automobile parts will be made of titanium and its alloys in the very near future.