2008-04-04 Press Release GKSS-Research Centre Geesthacht
Cutting edge technology from Geesthacht
First industrial application for titanium aluminide alloy
The engineers in Geesthacht have every reason to celebrate. “After five years of hard development work, our new titanium aluminide alloy will now be used in an industrial application,” says GKSS materials researcher Dr. Michael Oehring.
The light alloy developed by materials experts at the GKSS Research Centre in Geesthacht can help save weight and energy. These advantages are also appreciated by industrial firms, which is why Rolls-Royce Germany has now acquired a licence for the alloy patent.
Every gram counts
Advanced lightweight materials such as titanium aluminide can provide companies like those in the aerospace engineering industry with an important competitive edge. That’s because every reduction in an aircraft’s weight also helps to lower fuel consumption. Aircraft engines are usually fitted with high-pressure compressor rotor blades made of nickel alloys. If titanium aluminide is used instead, the component’s weight is cut nearly in half. This, in turn, makes it possible to also reduce the weight of other engine components, because lighter blades lessen the centrifugal forces on the discs. The new alloy will in the future allow engineers to construct engine components that are lighter and therefore more fuel efficient, while also offering longer service life.
The high-tech material in detail
Titanium aluminide is an inter-metallic compound of titanium and aluminium. It has the same high-temperature stability in a specific temperature range as nickel alloys, while its density is much lower. That is why titanium aluminide components are so much lighter than those made of nickel alloys. In terms of mechanics, the material normally behaves more like brittle ceramic than formable metal. The researchers in Geesthacht therefore had the difficult task of finding alloy elements that would reduce the material’s brittleness, a goal they have now achieved after five years of research and development work. In addition to titanium and aluminium, the newly patented alloy also contains the elements niobium, boron and molybdenum. The alloy has a high temperature stability and can be worked like metal.
Technology transfer from Geesthacht
“Patenting processes are always very complicated,” says Anja Frahn, who is responsible for legal affairs and technology transfer at GKSS. “We assist the scientists in these proceedings and provide consulting services to our industrial and business partners.” In 2007, the GKSS Research Centre registered a total of 14 patents. The centre’s Technology Transfer department helps to manage the entire patenting process, from the negotiation of the cooperation contracts to the subsequent issuing of licences.
Specific properties of titanium aluminide:
- A low density of approx. 4.0 g/cm3
- A high melting point of 1,460 degrees Celsius
- Good corrosion resistance
Image:
For additional information, please contact:
Dr. Michael Oehring
GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH
Physical Metallurgy
Max-Planck-Straße 1
21502 Geesthacht, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 41 52 / 87 - 2672
e-mail: michael.oehring(at)gkss.de
Anja Frahn
GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH
Legal Affairs and Technology Transfer
Max-Planck-Straße 1
21502 Geesthacht, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 41 52 / 87 - 1626
e-mail: anja.frahm(at)gkss.de
Heidrun Hillen
GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH
Press and Public Relations
Max-Planck-Straße 1
21502 Geesthacht, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 41 52 / 87 - 1648
e-mail: heidrun.hillen(at)gkss.de
GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH
Physical Metallurgy
Max-Planck-Straße 1
21502 Geesthacht, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 41 52 / 87 - 2672
e-mail: michael.oehring(at)gkss.de
Anja Frahn
GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH
Legal Affairs and Technology Transfer
Max-Planck-Straße 1
21502 Geesthacht, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 41 52 / 87 - 1626
e-mail: anja.frahm(at)gkss.de
Heidrun Hillen
GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH
Press and Public Relations
Max-Planck-Straße 1
21502 Geesthacht, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 41 52 / 87 - 1648
e-mail: heidrun.hillen(at)gkss.de