Abstract
Titanium metal is mainly used in the automotive industry due to its high-temperature resistance, high strength, resistance to wear and corrosion, and the unique properties of its alloys. Titanium applications in exhausts systems are the key attractive entry point of the metal into the automotive industry. The applications of titanium and its alloys in the automotive industry in making exhausts systems has been in existence for quite some years. Its application is supposedly limited to the first class road models and the racing cars because of its temperature capability and the cost.With the recent modification of titanium by alloying and other alterations of temperaturesensitivities, the metal use will continue to prosper in this industry. This proposal seeks to address the issues relating to the use of titanium in designing of an exhaust system in an automotive industry.
Purpose
There has been a positive growth in the achievement of a cost effective use of titanium in the automotive industry. The leading applications of titanium include; exhaust systems that are made of pure titanium and the Cold formed springs that are made from beta allows that has a low cost. The need for manufacturing exhaust from titanium alloy is to minimize noise, improve the safety, maximize fuel economy and reduce the emission of harmful substances. This paper proposes to research on the application of the titanium metal in designing of an exhaust system.
Scope of Study
The proposed study will involve the collection of data relating to the use of titanium metal in the automotive sector. In this regard, the benefits, advantages and disadvantages as compared to the other metals will be considered. The collected information will be analyzed later.
Background
Application of Titanium in automotive industry
Titanium Springs
Among most of the engineering alloys, the alloy of titanium has high density, the modulus and the strength of making an ultimate spring for most of the applications. The most important thing in the design of spring is the optimization of the weight as well as the limited space. Springs made of titanium are small and lighter in weight than steel springs. The design parameters for the new vehicle models have a space limit that is hard to be achieved by the steel springs [2]
Valve Springs
These present the most appropriate application of the titanium in the automotive engine market. The need for engine reduction in size due to the limitation of space is achieved by using titanium in making the engine parts.Titanium is used in increasing the load of the valve spring, and this gives a faster motion of the valve and larger revolutions per minute.20-25 % of the mechanical engine friction is approximated to be reduced by the springs with lower loads and lighter valves. The reduced friction and maintained engine capacity output will improve the engine’s efficiency; reduce fuel consumption and less noise.An estimate of 2 - 4 % of the engine’s fuel consumption is reduced depending on the type of the engine with larger levels of improvements being realized in the ones having four valves. The performance of the titanium alloy can be improved by surface treatment in order to increase the resistance to wear [1]
Suspension Springs
This part of the vehicle provides a significant capacity to space reduction when titanium alloy is used in manufacturing them. A 70% weight reduction is experienced when a helical spring is designed from titanium compared to the steel counterpart. The corrosion resistance of titanium alloys provides a base a better service life in spring [1]
Exhaust systems
The desired exhaust system is the corrosion resistance type for the purpose of releasing the less harmful substance to the environment. This is achieved by using titanium alloy and can surpass the 409 stainless steel that is currently in use. Significant weight is reduced when titanium is used as a comparison to the stainless steel material. A commercially pure titanium metal sheet can be used for making the silencers and the pipework in the system. The idea of reducing the weight is achieved by selecting the smallest gauges materials that agree with the acoustic and engineering requirements of an exhaust system. The titanium alloy will be used in the parts of the system with temperatures not exceeding 4000C for longer periods. The most effective way to mount the exhaust to the chassis is by using titanium lugs and rubber isolators [3]
Discussion
Approach
The proposed study is expected to cover five of the major car manufacturing industries in the New York City. One guy will be conducting the research about the use of titanium in making of exhaust systems in the automotive industries. This will involve sampling out the five places and a few respondents from the same company. The collected data will be analyzed later.
Data Collection Method
Sampling
Use ofQuestionnaires
A step of questions regarding the use of titanium in the manufacturing of exhaust systems is established to be imposed on the selected few respondents. Open ended, and close-ended questions will be administered.
Secondary data
Other information about the use of titanium could be obtained from the manufacturer’s manuals, journals, and other secondary sources. These will provide extra information for the research.
Data Analysis
Since this study uses primary and secondary data collection techniques, it is expected that it will generate both qualitative and quantitative data. Therefore, both inductive and deductive approaches will be employed in analyzing the data. The researcher will first ensure that all returned questionnaires are correctly completed before coding the data appropriately. The quantitative data generated by the questionnaires will then be analyzed using SPSS. SPSS is an important in quantitative research since it allows the research to conduct a descriptive analysis which can be expressed in regards to mean, mode, frequencies, median, cumulative percentage and standard deviation.
Results
The analyzed data will be valuable for acquiring information on the use of titanium in manufacturing the exhaust system. A comparison with other metals will show a critical evaluation of the metal concerning its application.
Statement of Work
This report involves defining an issue about titanium and its application. To support that, a literature review is covered in the report to give an insight of what is going to be researched. The report will be presented for evaluation and approval before being implemented in the field. If this proposal is approved, the research will be conducted and the data obtained will be analyzed by the techniques described above.
Resources
Personnel
The appropriate person to do the data collection and analysis will only be me. This is because of the critical information that will be needed from the study area.
Facilities/equipment
The equipment needed for the research include; computer/laptop for recording the data, camera, notebooks, pens, books, and other stationeries. These will provide an easier way of accessing the required information on the research.
Costs
Time schedule
Budget Estimate
Conclusion
This research involved the acquisition of data regarding the use of titanium in the automotive industry. The properties of titanium to its application, costs, and other parameters are also studied. The acquire information will help in improving the design of the exhaust system via comparison of the existing design. The improved system will help in establishing a reliable, environmentally friendly and cheap exhaust system.References
[1]"Titanium for Automotive Applications", Azom.com, 2016. [Online]. Available: http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=553. [Accessed: 25- Mar- 2016].
[2]D. Peacock and M. Corr, "Effective Design of High-Performance Corrosion-Resistant Systems For Oceanic Environments Using Titanium", Corrosion Reviews, vol. 18, no. 4-5, 2000.
[3]Y. Kosaka, K. Faller and S. Fox, "Newly developed titanium alloy sheets for the exhaust systems of motorcycles and automobiles", JOM, vol. 56, no. 11, pp. 32-34, 2004.
