New Developments in Titanium Fastener Technology

Titanium fasteners are widely used throughout the aerospace industry today, yet as the aerospace industry evolves the importance of these highly stressed components are often underestimated.. The high specific strength of titanium alloys have made it a very attractive material for aerospace fasteners but the increased use of Carbon fiber reinforced composite (CFRP) and hybrid structures have increased the importance of titanium as a fastener material. While the galvanic compatibility between titanium and CFRP is acceptable, the hybrid nature of large aircraft structure creates new structural challenges. The intrinsic high electrical conductivity of titanium fasteners relative to CFRP and the large number of fasteners used in aircraft construction combine to create a condition of a high probability of lightning attachment to fasteners when they are used for joining composite structures. Fasteners are normally used to join some of the most highly stressed structural members and are ideally located to be used a platform for structural health monitoring technologies. This presentation will cover recent developments in the titanium fastener technology and technology trends in the framework the evolving structural architecture of commercial aircraft.