New Materials

Of all methods of weight reduction, the direct substitution of one material by another, lighter, material with equal strength involves the least design effort. This has always been the principal attraction of titanium. A particular example is the use of titanium alloy bolts which, while stronger than mild steel bolts and having superior fatigue properties, have only 53 per cent of the weight of steel bolts. Messrs. Guest, Keen & Nettlefolds (Midlands) Ltd., Birmingham, who have sponsored the development of titanium bolts in this country, have announced a substantial reduction in the price of these products.