RTI Intl. Metals to supply TiAl for jet engine program

RTI Intl. Metals Inc., Pittsburgh, and Snecma, based in Courcouronnes, France, have signed a long-term agreement under which RTI will provide titanium aluminide alloy (TiAl) material for the new CFM International LEAP (leading edge aviation propulsion) engine. The engine was launched by CFM in 2008 to power the next generation of single-aisle commercial jets.

CFM Intl. is a 50/50 joint company between Snecma and GE. The TiAl material will be used to produce the engine’s low-pressure turbine blades. The new-generation alloy withstands very high temperatures and reduces the weight of low-pressure turbine blades compared with the nickel-based alloy materials traditionally used in their production.