In its short commercial life, titanium has been tagged "the wonder metal." As strong as steel, it weighs only half as much; heavier than aluminum, it is twice as strong. It doesn't rust; it becomes tougher under high temperatures, and is more resistant to steam erosion than any other construction material. But titanium also has some major flaws: it costs $5 a Ib. in the raw state, is hard to fabricate, and production is only 1,400 tons a year.
Last week the Pentagon and private industry stepped up their titanium program in hopes...
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