New design approach identifies routes to stronger titanium alloys

Researchers at MIT, in collaboration with ATI Specialty Materials, have developed a new design approach for creating titanium alloys with exceptional combinations of strength and ductility. By tailoring the chemical composition, lattice structure, and processing techniques, they were able to surpass the traditional tradeoff between strength and deformability in metals. The study, published in Advanced Materials, focused on optimizing the properties of titanium alloys by considering the structure at both the atomic and polycrystal scales. Through techniques like cross-rolling and careful selection of alloying elements, the team achieved a material where different phases deformed uniformly, resulting in superior mechanical properties. This industry-supported academic research provides insights into crystal plasticity and offers a pathway for producing commercially viable high-performance titanium alloys. The findings open up new opportunities for applications in aerospace and other industries where a balance of strength and ductility is crucial.