Steel-to-Titanium Conversion
Landing gear is one of the heaviest structural systems on an aircraft, traditionally manufactured from ultra-high-strength steels like 300M and AerMet 100 at tensile strengths of 280+ ksi. Replacing steel landing gear components with titanium saves approximately 40% weight at equivalent structural capability—a significant improvement that directly reduces fuel consumption, increases payload capacity, and improves aircraft performance. The aviation industry has progressively converted landing gear trucks, braces, struts, and fittings from steel to titanium, particularly in beta titanium alloys like Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al and Ti-5Al-5V-5Mo-3Cr that achieve the highest titanium strength levels.
Manufacturing for Landing Gear
Landing gear components demand the highest forging integrity due to the catastrophic consequences of failure during landing. CastAlloy produces titanium landing gear components through closed-die forging with precise temperature control to achieve the optimal microstructure for each alloy and application. Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) serves moderately loaded fittings and brackets, while beta alloys like Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al are forged for the highest-loaded structural members requiring tensile strengths above 170 ksi. Post-forging heat treatment, shot peening, and precision machining complete the manufacturing sequence.
Quality Requirements
Landing gear components require enhanced quality protocols including triple-melt material (VIM/VAR/VAR) for maximum cleanliness, 100% ultrasonic inspection to detect internal discontinuities, fatigue testing of representative samples, and full compliance with OEM forging specifications. CastAlloy's quality system supports these requirements with complete traceability and documentation. Contact us for landing gear titanium component quotations.