Titanium surface passivation ability is very strong, with good self-healing, in the neutral and oxidizing environment and many other harsh environment than other commonly used metal materials, corrosion resistance is high, especially to the sea water chloride ion has a strong corrosion resistance. Compared with stainless steel, aluminum alloy and copper alloy, the corrosion rate of titanium alloy in seawater is almost 0.In addition, titanium will not be magnetized in a large magnetic field, which can increase the concealment of ships or equipment in sea water, and can avoid the attack of magnetic mines, with good anti-monitoring effect.
The U.S. navy began looking at the possibility of titanium alloys in the naval industry in 1950.In 1973, the titanium alloy material was officially applied to the pressure-resistant shell of alvin. In the 1980s, the United States initiated the use of high-strength titanium alloys in naval equipment, most notably the sea water piping on the SAN Antonio class amphibious dock transporter. According to the statistics, although the "SAN Antonio" class titanium alloy pipe system has a higher initial investment than the copper-nickel alloy, but the full-life cost savings of nearly 17 million dollars.
Russia is the first country in the world to have a nuclear submarine made of titanium alloy. In a period of more than 20 years from 1963 to 1988, Russia built 12 all-titanium attack submarines of class 3, including 7 alpha-class, 1 Mc-class and 4 serra class. In recent years, titanium alloy has been gradually applied in heat exchangers, desalinators, coolers, condensers, pipelines and other equipment on Russian submarines.
