23 September 2014
MBIE funding for titanium brings lighter deep sea dive knife closer
The development of titanium products received a financial boost in the latest round of Ministry of Business, Innovation
and Employment’s (MBIE) science research funding.
Titanium Technologies New Zealand (TiTeNZ) was awarded $14,490,000 (including GST) over a six year period. The titanium
research, led by Professor Ian Brown, the science leader from Callaghan Innovation, in conjunction with Waikato
University research team project leader Professor Brian Gabbitas, is being undertaken by leading applied materials
research groups at the University of Waikato, Auckland University, GNS Science, Callaghan Innovation and the Titanium
Industry Development Association (TiDA).
“This is great news for the School of Engineering, the University and our research partners because it helps us develop
and maintain our world-leadership in titanium technology, and develop a titanium-based industry to support the New
Zealand economy,” says Professor Gabbitas.
TiTeNZ is developing various products from titanium and titanium alloys for its main industrial partner, South Auckland
Forgings Engineering (SAFE), currently working on two main projects: the development of components for the breathing
apparatus of a deep sea diving helmet, and a deep sea diving knife, both of which have traditionally been made from
heavier stainless steel.
“Titanium is only 60% of the weight of stainless steel, so there’s considerable weight-saving and corrosion-resistant
benefits in marine environments,” says Professor Gabbitas.
TiTeNZ builds on current research and infrastructure to develop new high strength, low weight, high durability materials
and products for export by designing and transferring to industry new processes to optimise the properties of titanium
alloy materials formed primarily through powder metallurgy.
A mix of paths to market will deliver business and export benefits valued by the industry at more than $100 million by
2023, on track to achieve a one billion dollar per year titanium-based export industry before 2030.
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