Since the 1990s, China has begun to use B10 alloy pipes as the main material for marine seawater piping systems on a large scale. As the Chinese navy and shipping ships move toward the deep sea, higher technical and tactical requirements have been put forward for the flexibility and safety and reliability of ship equipment.
Titanium alloy has become the best choice for marine seawater piping system due to its low density, high strength, and excellent corrosion resistance.
China began to study marine titanium alloy materials and titanium alloy pipelines in the 1960s. After years of research and development, a marine titanium alloy material system has been initially established.
Around 2003, all the pipes, fittings, flanges and valves of the seawater piping system of China’s marine vessels used pure titanium pipes for the fire protection system, main and auxiliary engine seawater cooling systems, air conditioning cooling systems and domestic seawater systems. The seawater pipeline system uses titanium.
Up to now, these materials have served well, and there have been no problems such as leakage and corrosion failure. The tensile strength of the in-service pipes has been retested, and the performance of the materials has not deteriorated.
Chinese titanium alloy material research institutions and manufacturers have also carried out product research on pure titanium, TA24, TA36 and other marine titanium alloy pipes for the needs of marine seawater pipelines, and carried out evaluation tests for the products developed.
In order to fully grasp the application technology of titanium alloy in marine seawater piping systems, China ZGHY Ocean Industry Material Technology Group and others have built multiple titanium alloy test benches, which are compatible with titanium alloy materials, seal pressure, corrosion protection, and prevent marine biological fouling, etc. Apply technology for system assessment.
The corrosion resistance of titanium alloy makes it show better service performance in seawater pipelines, and its application is also expanding.