The news in CCTV News Network on July 17th that in the world the largest researchful man-sized amphibious aircraft AG600 independently developed by China which used to put out a fire and rescue on the water will first fly to sky in 2016 attracted me deeply. The amphibious aircraft AG600, the large transport airplane “Kunpeng” and the large airliner C919 were called Chinese "three musketeers". After reading this news, I was so excited. The first reason is that Chinese aviation industry has opened the era of quick development, the second reason is that titanium, aluminum and magnesium high strength light alloy material ushered the big time of flying in the blue sky, especially the titanium alloy will have great potential in the field of aviation and the use of titanium in other areas will be divided into the aviation market.
One of the three key technologies of Chinese large aircraft manufacturing is the material. A large number of using of composite materials and titanium alloy will reduce the weight of the aircraft and it is conducive to reduce fuel consumption. At present, the composite materials and titanium alloy have been more and more used in the aircraft. For example, the composite material accounted for 50% on Boeing 787 and the titanium alloy accounted for 15%. At first, the composite material accounted for 37% on the Airbus’ twin engine long-range wide system aircraft A350 and the titanium alloy only accounted for 9%, but the aircraft's order is less, and can’t compete with Boeing 787, then it decided to redesign. After changing the design, the use of composite materials on the Airbus A350 reached 53%, the amount of titanium alloy increased to 14%.
The application of titanium alloy in the United States’ aviation industry accounted for a large proportion while the proportion in Chinese aviation industry is negligible. In recent years, with the rapid development of Chinese aviation industry, the research of the aircraft "the Three Musketeers" and the formation of industrial chain greatly promoted the development of aviation manufacturing industry and also contributed to the development of related industries.