Metal Industry News

Advanced alloys minimising aircraft emissions today are the result of continued investment in materials research and willingness to change to new technology whenever benefits outweighed costs. Such a contribution must be acknowledged as aviation advances towards environmental sustainability

When it comes to high-tech manufacturing from aircraft frames to racing car chassis, titanium is hard to beat, and Grades 1 and 2 are two of the most-used variants. Both belong to the group of commercially pure alloys, yet tiny differences in chemical makeup result in clear contrasts in strength, corrosion resistance, and formability. By knowing how these subtle yet significant factors play out, designers and buyers can steer their projects toward the grade that delivers exactly what is needed-without overspending on material that is tougher than the job requires. Questions that surface repeatedly concern the blend of purity, mechanical behaviour, and real-world behaviour that sets Grade 1 apart from Grade 2.

In the context of safety systems in aircraft, there can be no tolerance for failure. Every component must perform flawlessly under the most demanding conditions, ranging from normal flight to emergency scenarios. The materials underlying these critical systems must be of the utmost reliability, and metals implemented in aircraft safety applications are among the finest manifestations of metallurgy available today.

When engineering teams face critical material selection decisions, two metals frequently emerge as frontrunners: titanium and advanced aluminium alloys. Both materials offer exceptional properties that make them indispensable across aerospace, automotive, and high-performance applications. However, understanding their distinct characteristics is essential for making informed decisions that can impact both performance and project economics.

Put yourself in the driver’s seat of a Formula 1 car as it whizzes around Silverstone at 320 kilometres an hour. And then now envisage a commercial jet at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet, with outside temperatures plummeting to -50 degrees Celsius. Both scenarios test the limits of metals, albeit in different ways. Often the difference between success and failure lies in material choice.

In aerospace and motorsport engineering, the choice of materials can either enhance performance or bring about abject failure. 300M and AerMet 100 are two high strength steels typically used for particularly difficult applications. These alloys, while appearing similar on paper, have different attributes that make each unique and suitable for specific applications. 

Both 304 and 17-4 PH stainless steels have their strengths. 304 has excellent corrosion resistance and formability at a good price, so it’s very versatile for most applications. 17-4 PH has the highest hardness and strength in the heat-treated condition - it’s about 3 times stronger on tensile strength than 304 – which is why it’s perfect for high performance parts. To put it simply, the best for you depends upon your own needs.

In the fast-paced world of aerospace and automotive, choosing the right material can be the difference between success and failure. We get asked by design engineers for detailed information on titanium specifications all the time. One of the most common questions we get is what’s the difference between pure titanium and titanium alloys.

There’s no question that there is no margin for errors when thinking about construction as it relates to aerospace. Every bolt, every sheet of metal, every single component needs to meet exact standards. Getting AS9100 certification proves you can deliver that level of quality.

Both 304 and 17-4 PH stainless steels have their strengths. 304 has excellent corrosion resistance and formability at a good price, so it’s very versatile for most applications. 17-4 PH has the highest hardness and strength in the heat-treated condition - it’s about 3 times stronger on tensile strength than 304 – which is why it’s perfect for high performance parts. To put it simply, the best for you depends upon your own needs.

The aviation sector stands at a crossroads. Rising fuel costs and strict environmental targets push manufacturers to find innovative ways to cut aircraft weight. Advanced metals play a crucial role in this transformation.

As engineering requirements continue to evolve, both M50 and 52100 remain prevalent choices in the bearing steel market. Recent developments in heat treatment processes have further enhanced the capabilities of both materials, making them even more versatile.

As it is the Professional Motorsport Show in Cologne this week thought we would have a throw back Monday opportunity when Dynamic Metals did their first trade show back in 2011! How time flies and waist lines get bigger! 😂 Still having fun though!

(Click to watch the video)

Recently we have been busy getting our warehouse floor re surfaced to segregate different working sections and safer movement of people and machinery around the works. There is also no 5 second rule for food being dropped on the floor either 😂

As we know, both have great strength and the ability to fight against corrosion; however, there are differences between them. Let’s look at the key differences and figure out with which of them you may need to investigate further for your project.

Dynamic Metals Ltd continues to push the boundaries on customer service and is currently trialling airfreight deliveries with some of its customer base! 😁