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Aerospace Materials and Material Technologies pp 73–89Cite as

Titanium Sponge Production and Processing for Aerospace Applications

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Part of the book series: Indian Institute of Metals Series ((IIMS))

Abstract

Titanium sponge is widely produced employing the Kroll process of high-temperature reduction of titanium tetrachloride by magnesium. The technological developments over the last few decades have focused on cost/energy savings in addition to introducing sophisticated systems in the manufacturing technology. This chapter concerns Indian efforts to develop ‘state-of-the-art’ Kroll technology for producing titanium sponge in industrial scale batches. While covering various features of the combined process technology developed at DMRL, the chapter also discusses advanced quality evaluation and sponge processing practice as developed at DMRL and implemented at the KMML sponge plant (which was established with the DMRL technology). Extensive measures that have been implemented to obtain high purity metal and assured quality of the product are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to DRDO for constantly supporting the industrial scale R&D programme for development of the titanium sponge technology. They wish to express sincere thanks to Dr. G. Malakondaiah, former Distinguished Scientist and former Director, DMRL, for excellent guidance and support during the entire programme of technology transfer to KMML.

But for the vision of Dr. R.V. Tamhankar, Dr. V.S.Arunachalam, and Prof. P. Rama Rao and their pioneering initiatives and leadership, India would not have reached this stage of self-reliance with respect to titanium sponge. With deep sense of gratitude, the authors place on record the outstanding leadership provided by them.

The authors also gratefully acknowledge the key contributions of senior colleagues, Shri RB Subramanyam, Director (Projects)—retired, Late Dr. Ch. Sridhar Rao, Shri C.S. Ramachandran, and Dr. T.S. Sitaraman during various stages of titanium sponge technology development, demonstration and transfer to KMML.

The authors also wish to place on record the outstanding contributions and support by TSP, KMML during the entire programme of type certification of sponge.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. DMRL, Hyderabad, India

    Ch R. V. S. Nagesh & G. V. S. Brahmendra Kumar

  2. RCMA (Materials), CEMILAC, Hyderabad, India

    B. Saha

  3. IIT-B, Mumbai, India

    Amol A. Gokhale

Authors
  1. Ch R. V. S. Nagesh
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  2. G. V. S. Brahmendra Kumar
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  3. B. Saha
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  4. Amol A. Gokhale
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ch R. V. S. Nagesh .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. DRDO, Defence Materials and Stores R&D Establishment, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

    N. Eswara Prasad

  2. Independent Consultant , Emmeloord, The Netherlands

    R. J. H. Wanhill

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Nagesh, C.R.V.S., Brahmendra Kumar, G.V.S., Saha, B., Gokhale, A.A. (2017). Titanium Sponge Production and Processing for Aerospace Applications. In: Prasad, N., Wanhill, R. (eds) Aerospace Materials and Material Technologies . Indian Institute of Metals Series. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2134-3_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2134-3_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-2133-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-2134-3

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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