SMM Exclusive: Application of Titanium Alloy on Domestic Large Passenger Aircraft C919

SHANGHAI, Aug 1 (SMM) – On May 28th at 10:32 am, China Eastern Airlines operated the MU9191 flight using the world's first delivered C919 large passenger aircraft produced by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China in the world. It flew from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport, marking the first commercial passenger flight of the domestic large passenger aircraft C919.
From the nose to the tail fin, various parts of the C919, including the front fuselage panels, nose skin, hangers, central wing spar, tail fin joints, wing slides, and even the engine blades, are made of titanium alloy. This reduces the weight of the fuselage and significantly improves insulation and resistance to temperature changes. The usage of titanium alloy on the C919 accounts for 9.3% of the aircraft's structural weight. With a basic weight of approximately 42 mt, the C919 utilizes about 4 mt of titanium alloy, surpassing the 4% usage on the Boeing 737 of the same class and the 4.5% usage on the Airbus A320.
Extensive employment of titanium alloy can achieve significant reduction of the weight of an aircraft. The aircraft's basic weight is a crucial parameter, as a lighter aircraft boasts a longer service life, extended range, and increased payload capacity. The C919 incorporates a large amount of titanium alloy, which not only enhances the strength and corrosion resistance of the aircraft but also substantially reduces its overall weight. For example, with a takeoff weight of 72.5 mt, implementing titanium alloy alone can reduce the aircraft's skeleton weight by approximately 3 mt, thereby significantly improving its payload capacity and range.
（Titanium Industrial Chain）

With the successful first commercial passenger flight of the domestic large passenger aircraft C919, China has opened up a vast aviation market. According to Boeing and Airbus estimates, there will be a demand for 40,000 aircrafts globally over the next 20 years, with a direct value of up to $6 trillion. If the C919 enters mass production and delivery in the future, along with its associated supply chain services, it will undoubtedly create a tremendous market and employment opportunities. This will lead to a substantial demand for titanium alloy in China. For more information on the industry, please stay tuned for the SMM China Titanium Industry Analysis Annual Report.
The SMM China Titanium Industry Analysis Annual Report provides professional interpretation of the current hot macro policies and analyzes the titanium ore market, titanium slag market, titanium dioxide market, titanium metal market, and titanium scrap metal market from upstream, midstream, and downstream perspectives. It covers the current status and forecast of national production capacity and output, import and export situation, market share of leading domestic enterprises, production costs of leading enterprises, and carbon emissions of various companies. It offers important reference suggestions for timely strategic planning to related enterprises throughout the titanium industry chain. For more details, please contact Ms. Zhang Yuting (Tel 18701906042), the project manager of non-ferrous metal consulting. Welcome to subscribe to the SMM China Titanium Industry Analysis Annual Report, which is available in both Chinese and English versions.
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