While were on the subject, I've heard that Titanium has it's own

set

of

problems in different environments.
Can't for the life of me think what this might be - any

suggestions in

relation to engine parts ?
George (down under)

We use titanium parts in many areas on race cars, and
almost exclusively engine valves. As has been pointed
out earlier, titanium has essentially no lubricity, therefore
the valve stems (where they ride on the guides) are undercut
by a few thousandths and built up with plasma applied
molybdenum.
Archie

Here is the fatigue characteristics of metals as a function of 
temp. So titanium would not make a good aircraft engine exhaust valve.
Intake might be OK.

Paul Lamar
 
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