Hi
I am involved in an industry that uses titanium "Plate Heat
Exchangers" (PHE) for marine applications. For an example of what a
heat exchanger is please see www.sondex.dk. We have noticed that the
prices have gone up dramatically recently due to a world shortage of
titanium - apparently due to an upturn in aviation construction
sector. I want to understand more about the material titanium as
follows:

1) How is titanium made - what are the raw materials and how is it processed?
2) In what form would a manufacturer of PHE such as Sondex buy
titanium, ie in sheets or other?
3) How would they make their plates for the PHE with their proprietary
patterns, ie by die cast mould or by press?
4) Who are the main suppliers of titanium, in what countries?
5) How does the graph line of prices for the past 2 years look?
6) Given the shortage now how long will it take for world supplies to
replenish and prices to normalise again, ie what is the typical cycle?

You can answer these questions individually as you find the answers -
I'm in a hurry so any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks
Ken

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Clarification of Question by inquisitive37-ga on 16 Oct 2005 03:17 PDT

Hold on a while - I have just found some valuable information on this
topic. I will clarify my question soon.