Research launched into titanium shipbuilding

The research will be focused on the manufacturability and structural performance of a titanium mid-ship section. Both material requirements and advanced welding processes, such as high-speed MIG welding and friction stir welding, will be investigated for applications in titanium ship hull construction. Math-based design for fabrication techniques will be developed to support both build strategy and construction of a titanium mid-ship section from piece part fabrication and interim production definition to final structural assembly of a titanium mid-ship section.

Titanium alloys offer many advantages for ship hull applications compared to traditional structural steels and aluminium alloys. For example, titanium alloys are more resistant to corrosion, have a high strength-to-weight ratio and a high resistance to fatigue. However the cost of materials and the lack of robust welding and joining techniques have prevented the shipbuilding industry from realizing the enormous potential of titanium for ship hull applications, said Pingsha Dong, the Northrop Grumman Endowed Chair in Shipbuilding and Engineering in UNO’s School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.

According to Dong, with recent advances in welding and math-based design for fabrication techniques, this project represents perhaps the most comprehensive exploration of the state-of-the-art technologies to date by actually building a full-scale titanium mid-ship section.

Over the years, UNO researchers have developed numerous advanced manufacturing and welding process modelling tools, innovative welding process applications and experimental testing facilities for deploying shipbuilding technologies to U.S. shipyards. Also serving as subcontractors to UNO on the titanium project are Keystone Synergistic Enterprises; MiNO Marine; and Textron Marine and Land Systems.