Research from the European Space Agency has helped to develop an
aircraft-grade titanium-aluminum alloy that's half the weight of
conventional nickel superalloys but has similar properties. This
alloy could make jet turbine blades (such as this one shown in
flight) 45 percent lighter. (Source: Creative Commons–A. Rueda)
Russia isn't the only country supplying titanium: it also comes
from South Africa, currently the second largest supplier, and
elsewhere: http://www.designnews.com/author.asp?section_id=1392&
doc_id=251754 One problem I have with this whole thing is that
Russia controls titanium. We could gear up for a new titanium
world and Russia could cut us off. Look at the threats to the
E.U. over natural gas? I would hate to be beholdin' to a
belligerent government for my supplies. Remember tantalum just a
few years ago? Dave, thanks for weighing in on the discussion
with your expertise in metals and casting processes. That's
interesting to hear that the acceleration levels used in the ESA
hypergravity res