Circular solid-state processing of Ti swarf—a low-cost,sustainable, and European source of Ti (CSS-Ti)

Titanium—a critical EU raw material—is required for many products in the energy sector but its use is often cost-prohibitive. New low-cost and European sources of Ti are needed for broad adaption. An estimated 55% of all Ti is converted to waste upon machining (swarf). Use of this waste as feedstock in a circular economy holds significant promise for lower materials cost, better supply-chain stability, and increased sustainability of the European Ti economy. The goal of this stage 1 project is the evaluation of an industrially viable process that converts Ti swarf into low-cost powders for cold-spray coating and additive manufacturing. We will confirm the feasibility of powder production from Ti swarf (KTH, GKN Aerospace), test coating simulation and rapid powder optimization by single- and many-particle impact
deposition (KTH), and plan industry-scale cold-spray deposition (Spanish project partner, Titomic, GKN Aerospace) and performance testing of the coatings. Based on this pre-study, we identify opportunities and challenges as well as necessary methods and expertise for a full-scale project that will realize and proof the technical and economical feasibility of this significant secondary source of Ti.

Project name: Circular solid-state processing of Ti swarf—a low-cost,sustainable, and European source of Ti (CSS-Ti)

Reference: 2024-03047

Status: Active

Call: Ökad resurseffektivitet och resiliens

Project type: Feasibility study

Administrator: Vinnova

Project coordinators: Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan

Project partners: University of Barcelona - Thermal Spray Center, GKN Aerospace Sweden AB, Titomic Europe B. V.

Project leader: Alain Reiser

E-mail: areiser@kth.se

Start date: 2024-12-01

End date: 2025-05-01

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