Britain has decided to replace Russian titanium with recycled materials

British company QinetiQ has launched helicopter production using components 3D-printed from recycled titanium.

According to NextGenDefense, titanium was recovered from a decommissioned aircraft, recycled, and used to manufacture a hinge that attaches the aeronautical data collection boom to the A109 helicopter. The metal recovered from the decommissioned aircraft was processed into powder and subsequently used to 3D print new components.

The recycling method developed by the British company is claimed to be 97 percent efficient, reducing waste and providing arms manufacturers with high-value materials like titanium. In addition to increased efficiency, this process also reduces carbon dioxide emissions by more than 94 percent compared to traditional production methods.

Since titanium is extremely important for the production of military equipment due to its corrosion resistance, with supplies from Russia and China declining, recycling decommissioned parts remains virtually the only way to supply the military-industrial complex with this valuable raw material. It is believed that in this way, Britain can reduce its dependence on imports by creating a domestic supply chain using a process for recycling scarce metals extracted from decommissioned equipment. Titanium is known to be indispensable in aviation industry due to its strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance and stability at high temperatures.

• Maxim Svetlyshev

Source: https://en.topwar.ru