The world’s largest aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, are shaken by a scandal involving the use of fake titanium. Some products from Spirit, a supplier of parts for aircraft wings to both companies, were found to contain fake titanium. This has raised serious concerns about the structural integrity of the aircraft.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter, which has extended to Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAŞ). Allegedly, fake titanium was used in the production of three different models over a four-year period.
The issue came to light when a parts supplier noticed small holes caused by corrosion in the material. Titanium is preferred in aircraft manufacturing because of its resistance to corrosion. Boeing reported the situation to the FAA and then warned its suppliers against fake documentation.
According to a New York Times report, the suspect material was used in parts produced between 2019 and 2023. Boeing used these parts in the passenger entry door, cargo doors, and components connecting the engines to the fuselage of the 787 Dreamliner. Airbus used the material in the heat shield protecting the engine of its A220 model. So far, tests have not identified any problems.
Untraceable Raw Material and Accusations
The source of the problem cannot be determined due to the inability to trace the raw material. The complex supply chain for these parts spans China, Italy, and Turkey. TUSAŞ sells titanium purchased from China to an Italian company, Titanium International Group (TIG), which manufactures aircraft parts. These parts are then sent to Spirit and subsequently to Boeing and Airbus.
The Italian company TIG claims they detected the issue and that the certificates from Turkey were fake. The documents state that the titanium was produced by Baoji Titanium Industry in China, but Baoji Titanium denies this. TUSAŞ asserts that they identified the problem and that the Italians withheld information.
Statement from TUSAŞ
The New York Times reported that it asked TUSAŞ about the source of the titanium but did not receive a response. TUSAŞ stated that they had not received any inquiry. According to TUSAŞ, in December 2023, issues were detected on the surfaces of materials received from the Italian company TIG, prompting them to contact the Chinese manufacturer Baoji, who confirmed that the certificates were fake. TUSAŞ removed the materials from the production chain and informed all their customers.
Importance of Titanium Imports
Titanium is widely used in the aviation industry due to its durability, light weight, and corrosion resistance. Because titanium resources in Turkey are limited, the country relies heavily on imports. Turkey’s titanium imports were largely dependent on Ukraine, but the Russia-Ukraine war has weakened this trade, with China trying to fill the gap. TUSAŞ is among the prominent companies in processing imported titanium.
Between 2019 and 2023, Turkey’s titanium imports steadily increased from $15 million to $22 million.
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