Today half of all titanium alloys manufactured end up in aerospace applications. Aerospace was the first industry to gain from titanium’s outstanding strength to weight ratio. In the 1950s, the Soviet Union pioneered the manufacture of titanium. The strategic importance of the metal during the cold war meant surplus titanium sponge was held by the US Defence National Stockpile and efforts were made to encourage the growth of the industry in the US.

Common titanium alloys used in the aerospace industry include: Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo, Ti-3Al-2.5V, and Ti-15V-3Cr-3Sn-3Al. These alloys are often used in aircraft frames and components, engine components, and fasteners.

Over the last 60 years, jet engines have experienced enormous improvements in thrust to weight ratio and efficiency as a direct consequence of Titanium. General Electric calculates that titanium usage has improved thrust to weight ratios by 350% and engine efficiency by 45%. The management of microstructure and quality has also seen a 90% improvement in safety.

The first aircraft to use titanium in the bulk of its construction was the US air force’s SR 71 blackbird. 85% of the aircraft’s structure was comprised of Ti. Prior to the SR71 the exorbitant cost of the metal meant it was used only sparingly.

The commercial aviation sector saw widespread use of titanium in the 1960s. Concorde would not have been possible without it. In aviation weight savings, spatial limitations and operational temperature are all factors in the choice of titanium alloy.

The Boeing 777, 787 and the Airbus A380 all use near beta titanium alloy in their landing gear. The A380 and 777 use Ti-10V-2Fe- 3Al (Ti 10-2-3) which offers weight savings over the traditional grade 5 Ti 6Al 4V; whilst the Boeing 787 uses Ti-5Al- 5V-5Mo-3Cr (Ti-5553) which has improved strength and hardness.

Jet Engines make use of Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy which is used to make turbine compressor blades but it is not used in areas with a temperature greater than 400 degrees due to the risk of combustion.

Titanium is used in also tanks and other vehicle and personal armour. Despite its high cost the safety payoffs are considerable. The USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II features a titanium bathtub enclosure to protect the pilots.