Properties and Production Experiences of TIMETAL®LCB for Automotive Spring Applications

TIMETAL^® LCB is a low cost beta titanium alloy specifically designed for automotive coil spring applications. The advantages of beta titanium springs in automotive spring applications are due primarily to low density, low elastic modulus and excellent corrosion resistance. Over 20 ingots of TIMETAL^® LCB have been produced since a large production ingot was first melted a few years ago.

This paper will provide the characteristics of TIMETAL^® LCB that distinguish this alloy from other titanium alloys and steels. Mechanical and metallurgical properties of TIMETAL^® LCB accumulated over several years will be summarized and discussed. The significant volume of production experiences of the alloy has enabled realistic specifications to be established for TIMETAL^® LCB wire products.