Alpha Case in Titanium: Why Aerospace Manufacturers Need Accurate Measurement and Removal Validation

Titanium's exceptional strength-to-weight ratio makes it indispensable for aerospace applications—but heat treatment and welding operations create a surface defect that can compromise these very properties. Alpha case, a hardened oxygen-enriched layer that forms during high-temperature processing, reduces ductility and fatigue resistance in titanium components. At MSI Lab in Dayton, Ohio, we help aerospace manufacturers validate their heat treatment processes and verify alpha case removal, providing the precise measurements quality managers need to ensure components meet specifications.