The role of domestic titanium producers in providing a titanium alloy for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is now in question amid industry reports that Russia's VSMPO-Avisma Corp., the alloy's developer, is asserting its right as sole supplier.
Earlier expectations that U.S. producers would be supplying Titanium 5-5-5-3 alloy (5-percent aluminum, 5-percent molybdenum, 5-percent vanadium and 3-percent chrome) have been put on hold due to what's being described as a "licensing issue" involving VSMPO.
The alloy was originally developed in Russia by VSMPO and its use on the 787 widebody represents its first significant role on a U.S. aircraft. In certain applications, it promises to bring Boeing even greater weight and performance savings over not only specialized titanium alloys but also, in selected circumstances, the most widely used aerospace alloy, Titanium 6-4 (6 aluminum, 4 vanadium).
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