Fibre reinforced titanium composites in landing gear for lug and alloy compatibility

Fibre reinforced titanium matrix composites (TMC) is an emerging materials technology for which the UK has strong industrial and academic capability. TMC is being developed for a range of industries where there is a demand for high mechanical performance, light weight and corrosion resistance. Civil aerospace is able to exploit TMC to reduce fuel burn and hence emissions into the environment, 25% or more of the operating cost is fuel. Hence there is a business case as well and an environmental case to introduce new materials. This project aims to evaluate the potential for combining high strength titanium alloy forgings with higher strength titanium composite beams for use in aircraft landing gear through diffusion bonding and secondary treatments. The project will also address a new TMC alloy foil and its interface to a forging alloy. This technology will help TMC economics and open the material to applications beyond civil aircraft such as oil & gas, energy generation and space.