KIMS - AirGen, Technology transfer of TiAl new alloy patent 

The Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS, President Jung-Hwan Lee) has transferred the new alloy technology of Kim's Titanium Aluminide (KIMS TiAl #16) for gas turbine to AirGen (Representative Director SooHo Bae).

The Korea Institute of Materials Science held a technology transfer ceremony at the Samjeong Turbine conference room on Jan. 5th 2021 in Gimhae, attended by KIMS President Jung-Hwan Lee, Dr. Sung-Woong Kim, Dr. Seung-Eon Kim, Chairman of Samjeong Turbine Jin-Wook Jeong, Representative Director of Airgen Soo-ho Bae, Senior manager Soon-Kook Kwon, and Senior Manager Man-Gil Lee.

The technology transferred this time is a technology for manufacturing a new alloy of titanium aluminide for ultra-high temperature, which raises the usage limit temperature more than 100℃ compared to the conventional titanium aluminide (TiAl) commercial alloy(existing: less than 800℃ → new alloy: more than 900℃).

AirGen plan to apply this technology as heat-resistant material for high-efficiency gas turbines.

The application of titanium alloys to high-temperature turbine parts, especially gas turbine parts, led by very few large overseas gas turbine manufacturers, is expected to be an innovative opportunity to overcome the limitations of gas turbine design and dominate technology.

AirGen is an engine and turbine manufacturer with more than 20 years of experience and technology, and proud of a one-stop total solution provider that can be found in one place, including R&D, design, casting, machining/production and testing.

Major businesses include small gas turbines/generators, turbo blowers, MAN turbocharger parts for medium-sized engines, and various rotator repair/replace projects for large-sized plants, and are currently developing new turbocharger parts for large engines of MAN, and EGR blower for ship engines with MAN and Hyundai Heavy Industries.

Dr. Seong-Woong Kim said, "If the new titanium aluminide alloy developed by the Korea Institute of Materials Science is applied, it can be applied to temp. over 900℃ as well as replacing the existing heavy nickel (Ni) super-alloy. It is expected to greatly contribute to the improvement of gas turbine efficiency and performance.

Meanwhile, AirGen is expected to produce more than 50 billion won in sales in 2030 by mass-producing gas turbines and material sales with this technology applied from 2025.

In addition, starting with this exclusive license agreement, the two organizations are actively making efforts to commercialize domestically developed alloys, ensure independence of domestic technology as well as overseas exports as their final goal.

Sourced by Cookie news/ HJKang reporter