COVER SERIES:  THE FINAL FRONTIER: AEROSPACE
THE NEW ECONOMICS OF TITANIUM
The use of titanium is increasing in the aerospace market for structural components. Mark Rentschler of Makino explains why improving the machining of titanium and changing the economics of its use is important, and how new technologies are impacting the way in which titanium can be machined more efficiently.

FORMING OF TITANIUM AND TITANIUM ALLOYS
For contract manufacturers competing in the aerospace market, Joseph Beal, Rodney Boyer, and Daniel Sanders of The Boeing Company explain how to reduce the effect of springback variation, improve accuracy, and gain the advantage of increased ductility when hot forming or cold performing then hot sizing titanium and its alloys.

THE STRUCTURE OF TITANIUM AND ITS ALLOYS
Luther Gammon, Robert Briggs, John Packard, Kurt Batson, Rodney Boyer, and Charles Domby of The Boeing Company profile the structural characteristics of titanium and its alloys so that contract suppliers to the aerospace market will have a better understanding of how to handle and process the material.

TIG WELDING TITANIUM
This technical article from Bernard explores the primary considerations that must be made (material properties, technique, equipment set-up, etc.) when TIG welding titanium, as well as troubleshooting common problems with this material.

GET HORIZONTAL
A look at a new horizontal solution treat system developed by Wisconsin Oven to heat treat aluminum and increase the alloy's overall tensile strength for demanding aerospace applications.

A MIRACLE ESCAPE
Most aircraft passengers pay little attention to the safety briefings given at the beginning of every flight. Accidents are extremely rare, but when they do occur, all safety procedures must be adhered to. This story shows how the engineered fabrics of a safety system from Trelleborg Coated Systems proved ready and reliable during the recent crash in the Hudson River.

SCRATCH THE SURFACE
Aircraft engines and components often require blasting, shot peening, and/or mass finishing to strengthen the material, reduce surface variations, and increase expectant life. Wheelabrator explains how the latest advances  in engineered surface preparation equipment addresses these needs for a supplier to Boeing.

DOWN TO THE CORE
Jet engines run at increasingly higher temperatures to attain greater fuel efficiencies. They must be cooled with more intricate cooling schemes that require the casting of complex cooling passages. MTC Certech introduces a fused silica ceramic core that is ideal for the airfoil casting of blades and vanes for rotating and static parts in these engines.

DRY MACHINING ALUMINUM ALLOYS
Tool deterioration can be significant when machining aluminum alloys for aerospace applications. In the first stages of harsh-environment cutting, coatings will typically peel and lose their beneficial properties. Not anymore. Sumitomo Electric Industries introduces an advanced diamond-like carbon coating for dry machining aluminum alloys and non-ferrous applications that allows cutting tools to effectively maintain high hardness, excellent lubrication, very low friction coefficient, very smooth surface, corrosive resistance and longer tool life.