The size and growth of the aerospace market—both within the US and throughout the world—is difficult to define and calculate. The recessions of 2008-2009 hit the industry hard, resulting in a significant drop in units produced and shipped within the general aviation segment of the market. Offsetting that, the industry has seen a dramatic rise in cost – the average general aviation aircraft today has doubled in price from 2007.
Amidst all this change there are important constants, including the demand for metal components that meet stringent standards for quality, structural integrity, weight, cost and more. While steel and aluminum are still used to some extent, the properties of titanium—including strength, temperature resistance and corrosion resistance—make it perhaps the most-favored metal in aerospace construction.
