Technical 19 www.aftermarketonline.net JULY/AUGUST 2025 Titanium shows it mettle for the auto sector Patrick Faulkner, lead engineer at Huddersfield-based precision engineering components supplier, Accu, on the importance of the metal for fasteners and fixings used in the aftermarket Titanium is an exotic metal that has a unique combination of mechanical, chemical and physical properties. No.22 on the periodic table, titanium is a naturally occurring, silvercoloured metal. It is the ninth most abundant element, but it is only in the last 20-30 years that it has been used in the high-performance automotive aftermarket industry. Titanium delivers outstanding mechanical performance, making it a goto material for applications where weight, durability and reliability are critical. Precision-engineered titanium fasteners offer an exceptional strength-toweight ratio and inherent corrosion resistance. Titanium screws feature precise threading and material compatibility, allowing seamless integration with surrounding components. In the aftermarket industry, titanium cap head screws are crucial in the repair and reassembly of vehicles. Their lightweight and robust nature can handle the rigours of speed and impact. The material’s natural resistance to corrosion, especially in harsh environments, such as when affected by road salt/ grit or acidic conditions, makes it a preferred choice for many applications. When installed in engines, titanium screws provide strong, secure connections and maintain structural integrity under extreme conditions. These properties, combined with high tensile strength, make them ideal for aerospace and other demanding engineering applications. Titanium fasteners are available in several grades, each tailored to the particular demands of different applications. Grade 2 is categorised as a commercially pure titanium, which means it contains a minimum of 99% titanium with small amounts of oxygen and other elements. This grade offers an excellent balance of strength, weldability and corrosion resistance. The most common titanium alloy used in automotive applications is grade 5. Combining high strength and corrosion resistance, titanium grade 5 contains 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium, making it suitable for highperformance applications where fasteners need to maintain integrity under high stress and extreme temperatures reaching over 316°C. Accu’s range of metric titanium screws is manufactured from grade 5. We offer a comprehensive range of titanium machine screws to meet different needs, with pure titanium bolts available in sizes ranging from M2 (2mm) to M10 (10mm) in thread diameter and lengths from 3mm to 100mm. Grade 7 titanium fasteners are the most corrosionresistant and are suitable for advanced applications, such as in high-performance motorsports. The drive type for these screws is a hex socket, providing a secure and reliable fastening method whilst the head type is typically a cap head, designed for applications requiring balanced load distribution. Variants include fully-threaded and partiallythreaded options. In terms of mechanical reliability, titanium’s inherent hardness means its threads are highly resistant to stripping under normal use. That said, as with any fastener, correct installation and the use of suitable tools are key to preventing thread or head damage. Though titanium screws cost more compared to stainless steel, their performance advantages often justify the investment. One of the most notable advantages of titanium fasteners is their strengthto-weight ratio; titanium is around 45% lighter than steel, enabling significant weight savings without compromising strength. An example of titanium’s ability to achieve weight savings is its use by Switzerland-based AMZ Racing, formed by engineering students dedicated to designing, building and racing highperformance electric cars. AMZ, a sponsored team of Accu, earned a Guinness World Record with its Mythen WR 2023 electric race car, achieving the fastest 0-100 km/h acceleration for an electric vehicle. Titanium components were critical in reducing the car’s overall weight from 162 kg to 137 kg. Visit www.accu.co.uk for more information.
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