archive_a: 2026/1

Titanium alloys have become a vital component in various industries due to their distinct performance advantages in the field of materials science. Cast titanium alloys, a significant component of the titanium alloy category, are produced through casting processes and exhibit considerable application potential in valves and numerous other industries.

Cast titanium alloys offer a number of key advantages over traditional alloy materials. Their low density allows for effective weight reduction while maintaining strength; high specific strength means that titanium alloys can withstand greater loads at the same weight; excellent corrosion resistance ensures stability in various harsh environments; and titanium alloys maintain good performance under both high and low temperatures. These characteristics have led to the widespread application of titanium alloys in petrochemicals, marine environments, biomedicine, aerospace, the automotive industry, and shipbuilding, among other fields. As the demands for material performance continue to increase across various industries, the advantages of titanium alloys are becoming increasingly prominent, making them a key factor in driving technological progress in these industries.

Cast titanium alloys are products manufactured using a casting process to create specific shapes. The TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V) alloy is the most widely used. This alloy demonstrates consistent processing performance and exhibits exceptional strength and fracture toughness below 350°C. Titanium alloys can be classified based on composition as α, β, and α+β types. According to strength, they are categorized as medium-strength or high-strength. Based on operating temperature, titanium alloys are divided into low-temperature (less than or equal to room temperature), medium-temperature (400°C), high-temperature (greater than or equal to 500°C), and combustion-resistant categories. This diverse classification fully reflects the wide applicability of cast titanium alloys. For instance, the common TC4 cast titanium alloy contains between 5.5% and 6.75% Al, and between 3.5% and 4.5% V, with the remainder being Ti. Its tensile strength can reach 895 MPa, and its yield strength is 825 MPa, with mechanical properties similar to medium- and high-strength steel. This allows it to partially replace steel in certain applications. Its density of 4.4 g/cm³ is significantly lower than steel, making it an ideal material for reducing equipment weight. At the same time, it maintains the superior corrosion resistance of titanium alloys, which is unmatched by steel. Consequently, in industrial production scenarios where weight reduction is a priority, opting for a suitable cast titanium alloy can effectively minimize product weight while ensuring consistent performance. This performance advantage confers upon cast titanium alloys an irreplaceable position in fields characterized by extremely high demands on weight and corrosion resistance.

Marine Titanium Valves: The Chinese economy has seen rapid development, resulting in increased demand for valves in the market. The valve industry has experienced significant advancements. Valves are typically composed of multiple components, including the valve body, valve cover, valve disc, and valve stem. Each component has distinct material requirements. Common valve materials include gray cast iron, ductile iron, alloy steel, and copper alloys. However, in some harsh working environments and complex and special working conditions, conventional valve materials are difficult to meet production and scientific research needs. Titanium and cast titanium alloys have garnered attention due to their superior performance, and titanium valves have developed to a certain extent. As the marine economy continues to expand, the performance requirements for marine valves are increasing. The development of titanium valves aligns with this trend, making it a suitable solution for a variety of applications. The working environment of seawater piping systems is harsh, and the performance of marine valves directly affects the safety of the piping system. Since the 1960s, Russia has been a leader in the research and development of advanced titanium alloys for marine applications, with a focus on military ship piping systems. This initiative has led to the creation of a diverse range of titanium alloy valves, showcasing Russia's expertise in the field. Concurrently, civilian ship piping systems began incorporating titanium valves. In comparison with materials such as copper alloys and steel, the use of cast titanium alloys significantly improves the reliability of the valve's structural strength and corrosion resistance, and greatly extends its service life, from the original 2-5 years to more than twice that.

Aerospace Titanium Valves: In the aerospace industry, cast titanium alloys demonstrate exceptional performance due to their high heat resistance and strength. In the 1960s, American aviation pioneered the use of titanium castings. Following a period of research from 1972 onward, the application of cast titanium alloys to aircraft was officially approved, including the Boeing 757, 767, and 777 models. Titanium alloy castings were used extensively in static structures and began to be used in critical piping system valve control. Common valves include safety valves and check valves. The application of titanium alloys has been shown to reduce aircraft manufacturing costs while increasing safety and reliability. Titanium alloys, which weigh approximately 60% of steel of equivalent strength, have been used extensively in aircraft manufacturing due to their low density. This has led to the development of aircraft with high strength and lightweight designs. As aerospace technology continues to advance, the demands on materials are becoming more exacting. This creates significant opportunities to leverage the advantages of cast titanium alloys. At present, aerospace valves find primary application in pneumatic, hydraulic, fuel, and lubrication control systems. They are well-suited for environments requiring corrosion resistance and high temperatures. These components are essential for the operation of spacecraft and engines. Traditional valves often require periodic replacement or fail to meet requirements. However, with the rapid expansion of the aerospace valve market, titanium valves are gaining an increasing share due to their superior performance.

Titanium Valves in the Chemical Industry: Chemical valves are typically used in harsh environments involving high temperatures, high pressures, corrosion, and large pressure differentials, making material selection crucial. Early materials primarily consisted of carbon steel and stainless steel, but these materials were prone to corrosion over time, necessitating replacement and maintenance. The development of cast titanium alloy technology and the subsequent discovery of its superior properties have led to the increased utilization of titanium valves in the chemical industry. The advent of cast titanium alloys has introduced a new, high-quality option for valve material selection in the chemical industry. For instance, the production of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) in the chemical fiber industry involves the use of acetic acid and hydrobromic acid, which are highly corrosive substances. The project requires nearly 8,000 valves, and the types are numerous and complex. Titanium valves have become the preferred option due to their enhanced reliability and safety. In the field of urea synthesis, traditional valves have a limited lifespan. Some fertilizer plants have tried using titanium high-pressure check valves and insulated globe valves for the inlet and outlet of urea synthesis towers. These valves have a service life of more than two years, demonstrating good corrosion resistance and reducing valve replacement frequency and operating costs.

Titanium and its alloys possess superior properties, making them ideal substitutes for materials such as steel. In addition, titanium resources are abundant, and as such, have attracted the attention of numerous researchers. Despite the present challenges in the extraction, smelting, and processing of titanium, both the valve industry and the titanium industry are vibrant and rapidly developing sectors. Advancements in stable titanium mining and production technologies, as well as the introduction and refinement of new processes, will make the application of cast titanium alloys and castings in the valve industry more mature and scalable. There will also be broad application prospects in other industries.

With the development of the construction industry, precast concrete formwork is becoming increasingly popular among contractors in modern construction. This trend has not only brought improvements in efficiency and quality but also had a positive impact on project timelines and costs. Below, we explore why contractors prefer to use precast concrete formwork.

Precast concrete formwork

01 Speed and Efficiency

In today's fast-paced construction market, time is money. One of the most significant advantages of precast concrete formwork technology is the substantial reduction in construction time.

By manufacturing components in factories, on-site work only requires hoisting and connection. Compared to traditional construction methods, this technology greatly increases construction speed.

Specifically, using precast components can shorten the construction cycle by 30%-50%. This means commercial buildings can be put into use faster, residential projects can be delivered earlier, and the return on investment cycle is significantly shortened.

For contractors, shorter construction periods not only mean faster cash flow but also reduce the impact of uncontrollable factors such as weather on the project.

02 Quality and Precision

Walking into a building constructed using precast concrete formwork, you might notice smoother walls and more precise dimensions. This is another core advantage of precast technology: superior quality control.

Concrete components produced in a factory environment can have dimensional errors controlled to the millimeter level, a precision far exceeding that of on-site casting.

The factory production environment places the curing, temperature, and mixing design of the concrete under strict monitoring. Each component undergoes quality testing before leaving the factory to ensure that its strength and durability meet design requirements.

This controlled production environment means that the building structure's performance is more stable and reliable, reducing the quality fluctuations common in traditional construction.

03 A New Perspective on Cost

When discussing precast concrete formwork, many people's primary concern is cost. Indeed, the initial price of precast components may be higher than that of traditional materials.

However, from a life-cycle cost perspective, precast technology demonstrates significant economic advantages. With technological advancements and large-scale production, the potential for cost improvement is continuously expanding.

Take molds as an example: traditional wooden formwork can typically only be used 3-5 times, while aluminum formwork can be reused 150-300 times. Large-scale production can increase mold turnover from the industry average of 50 times to 200 times, resulting in a mold cost reduction of up to 75%.

As production scale increases, fixed costs are spread across more products, naturally reducing unit costs. Research has found that doubling the size of a prefabricated project can reduce incremental costs by 47%.

04 Green Advantages

With the concept of sustainable development gaining widespread acceptance, the environmental advantages of precast concrete technology are becoming increasingly prominent.

Factory production significantly reduces waste of building materials on construction sites. Traditional construction consumes a large amount of materials through formwork turnover, while precast technology greatly reduces resource waste by reusing formwork.

Precast concrete construction also effectively reduces noise and dust pollution. The enclosed environment of factory production controls noise, and on-site assembly reduces a significant amount of high-noise work. At the same time, on-site wet work is greatly reduced, contributing to environmental protection and minimizing construction disturbance to residents. With the advancement of the "dual-carbon strategy," this green building technology is receiving more policy support.

FAQ regarding precast concrete formwork

Q1: What cleaning and damage checks are required for precast concrete formwork before use?

A1: Before use, the formwork should be clean, undamaged, and accurately sized and aligned. Check for deformation, cracks, or other damage to ensure it provides the required shape and dimensional accuracy.

Q2: What are the key points for inspecting reinforcing bars and embedded parts?

A2: Reinforcing bars should be cut, bent, and placed according to the design drawings, meeting spacing requirements. Embedded parts (such as hoisting anchors, pipes, and inserts) should be correctly placed according to the layout plan.

Q3: What are the key inspection points during concrete pouring and demolding?

A3: Concrete should be poured evenly and vibrated thoroughly to eliminate air bubbles. Release oil should be applied correctly to ensure smooth demolding. Demolding time should be adjusted according to temperature and curing conditions.

Q4: What does the curing and strength monitoring of precast concrete include?

A4: Curing methods (such as water spraying, curing blankets, curing films) should be selected based on weather conditions. Temperature and humidity need to be controlled during the early strength development process. Compressive strength samples should be tested periodically (e.g., at 7 days and 28 days).

Q5: What are the standards for dimensional tolerances and surface defects inspection of precast concrete units?A5: Dimensional tolerances (length, width, depth, warpage) should conform to design specifications. The surface should be inspected for honeycomb, cracks, or other defects.

Q6: What precautions should be taken during the storage, handling, and transportation of precast concrete units?

A6: Precast units should be stored on a flat surface with appropriate support to prevent warping. Before handling, the hoisting anchor points should be checked to ensure no damage occurs during handling and transportation.

Q7: What are the requirements for acceptance and recording of precast concrete units?

A7: Units should be clearly marked with their type, location, and pouring date. All inspection and test results should be recorded and archived for traceability.

characteristic	Lifting Anchor	Install anchor
Function	Used for lifting and transporting prefabricated components	Used for the installation, positioning, and fixing of precast components.
Load requirements	Withstand vertical tension to ensure lifting stability	Withstands various forces (tension, shear, pull) to ensure stable installation.
Use phase	Transportation stage from prefabricated component production to installation location	Installation location positioning and long-term fixation stage
Installation location	Near the center of gravity of the component	Determined based on installation requirements and structural connection points.
Number of times used	Single use	Long-term use