Fine Tubes is to produce Grade 9 and Grade 5 titanium tubing for the high-pressure hydraulic systems of Airbus A380 and high-lift transmission systems of the A350 XWB.
The high-lift transmission systems for the A350 XWB are scheduled to enter service this year. They are being developed by Switzerland-based equipment manufacturer Liebherr.
According to Fine Tubes, the density of titanium is around 60% of that of steel or nickel-based alloys, resulting in substantial weight savings even though its tensile strength is higher than that of austenitic or ferritic stainless steels.
It is non-magnetic, highly corrosion-resistant, and has a melting point higher than steel alloys.
According to the manufacturer, seamless tubes regularly out-perform high-pressures and fatigue.
The company stated that it employs various processes, including cold reductions and heat treatments, to manufacture the specifications required by its customers.
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By GlobalDataFine Tubes Aerospace business development manager Paul Mallett said: "The advantages that titanium offers in terms of weight saving and strength make it an ideal material for high-performance aircraft applications and we are seeing a definite increase in its specification by a range of end-users, from the aerospace to the offshore to the medical equipment industries."
Image: The titanium tubing produced by Fine Tubes will be used for the high-pressure hydraulic systems of Airbus A380. Photo: courtesy of Fixion / Airbus SAS.
