Kobe Steel to Market New Titanium Alloy Items for Automobile

Kobe Steel tries to alloyed titanium products for automobile. The demand increases mainly for muffler of motorcycle. The firm tries to market the KSTI-1.5AL, which the firm developed in 2000 as world first mass production titanium alloy for muffler, and KSTI-1.2ASNEX, which the firm already ships sample of for users. The firm succeeded the mass production of alloyed titanium high strength bolt, which the firm is developing by the cold forging technology, and tries to market it both for motorcycle and vehicle. Automakers use more titanium. Japanese rolled titanium shipment is expected to increase to 1,500 tonnes for automobile in 2006 from former around 1,400 tonnes. Of the domestic automotive application, pure titanium for motorcycle’s muffler is estimated to represent 80-90%. However, pure titanium is weak for strength under high temperature and for acid resistance under high temperature with higher performance of engine and catalyst. Kobe Steel developed KSTI-1.5AL in 2000, which is titanium alloy with 1.5% aluminium. The firm produced more than 300 tonnes by April 2006 after users recognized the high performance with 2-3 times of strength and acid resistance under high temperature compared with pure titanium. The firm ships sample of the new item of KSTI-1.2ASENEX, which has more than 10% higher acid resistance and formability than KSTI-1.5AL, for uses. The firm expects the automakers will use the item for vehicles with large power engine. The firm also markets titanium alloy high strength bolt for severe part of automobile including engine and suspension. The firm succeeded to improve the tension strength by 10-30% from traditional titanium alloy with 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium by adding 15% vanadium and 3% each of chrome, tin and aluminium.