A380 Airbus

Fine Tubes is to produce Grade 9 and Grade 5 titanium tubing for the high-pressure hydraulic systems of Airbus A380 and high-lift transmission systems of the A350 XWB.

The high-lift transmission systems for the A350 XWB are scheduled to enter service this year. They are being developed by Switzerland-based equipment manufacturer Liebherr.

According to Fine Tubes, the density of titanium is around 60% of that of steel or nickel-based alloys, resulting in substantial weight savings even though its tensile strength is higher than that of austenitic or ferritic stainless steels.

It is non-magnetic, highly corrosion-resistant, and has a melting point higher than steel alloys.

According to the manufacturer, seamless tubes regularly out-perform high-pressures and fatigue.

The company stated that it employs various processes, including cold reductions and heat treatments, to manufacture the specifications required by its customers.

Fine Tubes Aerospace business development manager Paul Mallett said: "The advantages that titanium offers in terms of weight saving and strength make it an ideal material for high-performance aircraft applications and we are seeing a definite increase in its specification by a range of end-users, from the aerospace to the offshore to the medical equipment industries."

Image: The titanium tubing produced by Fine Tubes will be used for the high-pressure hydraulic systems of Airbus A380. Photo: courtesy of Fixion / Airbus SAS.

Defence Technology