Development of manufacturing technology and its application in titanium

Approximately fifty years have passed since the industrial production of titanium started in Japan. One third of this period also has elapsed since Nippon Steel's entry into the titanium business in 1984 for the purpose of cultivating new demand through new product development and application processes. The company has succeeded in lowering the cost of titanium use, starting with raw titanium cost reduction and developing various application technologies. It also expended efforts in opening up new demands for titanium in building materials, automobiles and ships. As a result, titanium has become a metal familiar in daily life. This paper describes the present state of new applications for titanium as flat rolled, tubulars and wires.