Canada is Urged To Relax Its Sanctions On Russian Titanium To Suport Airbus

French President Emmanuel Macron personally intervened to persuade Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to give Airbus and other aerospace firms relief from sanctions on Russian titanium, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The sensitive request was made during a phone call between the two leaders in March, weeks after Canada broke ranks with allies and slapped sanctions on the strategic metal, alarming France-based Airbus and others that still rely on Russian supplies in plants located in Canada or elsewhere.

A source close to the French leader said Macron had made a "significant effort" to convince Trudeau to grant an exemption for European companies.

"Many messages were passed at all levels," the source added, referring to broad diplomatic and industrial pressure.

A Canadian source familiar with the matter said Macron raised the topic in a call with Trudeau on March 29 in the run-up to a visit by French premier Gabriel Attal, who also addressed the issue when he was in Canada.

At least one other European government also weighed in to support the lobbying effort, a separate source said.

Ottawa initially stood firm, but within days modified its policy by granting Airbus and others waivers. The climbdown, first reported by Reuters, triggered a political dispute over sanctions policy and drew criticism from Ukraine's ambassador.

"It was not easy to get the sanctions lifted. I think if the French government had not raised it continuously at that level, we would have held pretty firm," the Canadian source said.

Offices of both leaders declined comment and Airbus said it was "complying with all applicable sanctions related to Russia".

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

CAUGHT OFF GUARD
The high-level scramble to keep Russian titanium flowing highlights how difficult Western nations are finding it to punish Russia for its war against Ukraine without damaging the supply chains of industries that need to plan years ahead.

Russia's state-backed VSMPO-AVISMA is historically the largest producer of aerospace-grade titanium, whose strength and light weight make it ideal for components that take the heaviest punishment, like engine parts and landing gear for big jets.

Weaning industries off Russian titanium, and other critical minerals produced in countries like China, is proving difficult.

"The problem is a new titanium mill ... takes years to build and it could take a year or two to get certified," said Kevin Michaels, managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory.

While the West has ratcheted up sanctions on Moscow, it has previously avoided blocking access to VSMPO's specialist alloys and forgings for fear of hurting its aerospace industries.

Canada's unexpected decision to ban imports from VSMPO coincided with the second anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and caught the aerospace industry off guard.

Airbus found itself in the front line. All landing gear for its premier A350-1000 jet comes from a single factory in Ontario. "Airbus was one of the larger voices lobbying and they did it through the French government as well," the first Canadian source said. Airbus and French officials declined to comment.

Canada's decision rippled down the supply chain.

RIPPLE EFFECT
U.S. aerospace giant RTX is responsible for building A350-1000 landing gear through its Collins Aerospace subsidiary's Oakville plant outside Toronto.

Faced with Ottawa's decision to ban Russian titanium, Collins halted raw material shipments, the sources said.

RTX declined to comment. In April it took a $175 million charge to cover new supplies, partly related to the Canadian sanctions.

Canada's sanctions could also have damaged Airbus' rival Boeing, but the U.S. planemaker was spared disruption thanks to a separate waiver awarded to French equipment supplier Safran, industry sources said.

Boeing announced in March 2022 that it had stopped buying titanium directly from Russia and is widely seen as less exposed to the politically sensitive topic than its European rival.

But like Airbus, Boeing buys landing gear made in Canada for its 787 Dreamliner. Two industry sources said the Toronto-area plant run by Safran continues to rely on VSMPO titanium while the company develops new sources in Europe.

Just to introduce an important Ti production after the news,

Performance Characteristics of Titanium Flanges

Titanium, a modern metal with a unique combination of properties, is increasingly recognized for its application in various industries. The performance characteristics of titanium flanges are influenced by factors such as the content of impurities like carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen. Below, we delve into the key performance features that make titanium flanges a preferred choice in demanding environments.

1. High Strength

One of the most significant advantages of titanium flanges is their impressive strength-to-weight ratio. The density of titanium alloy is approximately 4.51 g/cm³, which is about 60% that of steel. In contrast, the density of pure titanium is closer to that of conventional steel. Certain high-strength titanium alloys exceed the strength of many structural steels, providing a specific strength (strength/density) that is far superior to that of other metal materials. This makes titanium flanges particularly advantageous in applications where minimizing weight while maximizing strength is essential, such as in aerospace and automotive industries.

2. High Thermal Strength

Titanium flanges maintain their required strength even at elevated temperatures. They can operate effectively in environments with temperatures ranging from 450 to 500 °C for extended periods. This thermal strength is crucial for applications involving high heat, such as in chemical processing and aerospace, where components may be exposed to extreme conditions.

3. Exceptional Corrosion Resistance

Titanium flanges exhibit remarkable corrosion resistance, making them highly suitable for use in harsh environments. When exposed to humid atmospheres and seawater, titanium alloys demonstrate superior resistance to corrosion compared to stainless steel. They are particularly effective against pitting, acid, and stress corrosion. Moreover, titanium flanges show excellent resistance to a wide range of corrosive agents, including alkalis, chlorides, chlorine organic compounds, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid. This property not only extends the service life of components but also reduces maintenance costs in various applications.

4. Good Low-Temperature Performance

Another noteworthy characteristic of titanium flanges is their mechanical stability at low and ultra-low temperatures. Certain titanium alloys, such as TA7, maintain significant plasticity even at temperatures as low as -253 °C. This resilience makes titanium an important material for low-temperature structural applications, such as in cryogenic technology and aerospace engineering, where materials are often subjected to extreme cold.

5. High Chemical Activity

Titanium's chemical reactivity is an important consideration in its applications. It reacts strongly with elements like oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon in the atmosphere, which can affect its performance. For instance, when carbon content exceeds 0.2%, a hard titanium carbide layer may form. At elevated temperatures, titanium can absorb oxygen, leading to the development of a hardened surface layer. While this can enhance hardness, it may also result in brittleness, particularly if hydrogen content increases. The depth of this hardened surface layer can reach 0.1 to 0.15 mm, with a hardening degree of 20% to 30%. Therefore, careful control of the material's environment is necessary to prevent adverse effects on its properties.

6. Low Thermal Conductivity and Elasticity

The thermal conductivity of titanium flanges is relatively low, measured at 15.24 W/(m·K), which is about one-fourth that of nickel, one-fifth that of iron, and one-fourteenth that of aluminum. This low thermal conductivity can be advantageous in applications where heat retention is desired. However, the elastic modulus of titanium alloy is roughly half that of steel, indicating lower rigidity and a tendency to deform more easily. This characteristic must be considered in the design and application of titanium flanges to ensure that they meet the necessary mechanical performance standards.

Conclusion

The performance characteristics of titanium flanges highlight their suitability for a wide range of industrial applications. With high strength, thermal stability, excellent corrosion resistance, and the ability to function at both low and high temperatures, titanium flanges offer unique advantages over traditional materials. However, their chemical reactivity and low thermal conductivity require careful consideration in application design. Overall, titanium flanges represent an ultimate choice for demanding environments, making them a critical component in modern engineering and technology.