The TiPOW programme (Titanium Powder for net-shaped component manufacture) will develop specifically formulated powder to meet the needs of additive manufacturing of aerospace components. It will also look at the techniques and equipment that will produce the powder consistently, in quantity and at a lower price than today's material.
Gary Elliott, CEO of the UK's Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), said: "The UK is already a world leader in aerospace technology and the Aerospace Technology Institute is delighted to be investing in this highly creative project.
"TIPOW will give us a better understanding and insight into improving airplane performance and will undoubtedly deliver more technological advances to the industry.
"This programme highlights the capabilities of the UK aerospace, promotes healthy competition and will lay the groundwork for even more innovation."
The research programme will be led by GKN Aerospace together with consortium partners including UK companies PSI and Metalysis and the University of Leeds. As programme leader, GKN's aerospace business will also draw on the expertise of the GKN Powder Metallurgy division – a supplier of metal powders and precision engineered components.
Additive manufacturing currently uses alloys and powders that have not been developed for these processes and so are not optimised for this environment, according to the ATI. It added: "Together, the partners will investigate developing titanium alloys and powders with the characteristics that are specifically suited to additive material.
"The TiPOW programme will also explore effective re-use and recycling of titanium material, and a study of potential applications for the recycled material."
