PTC Industries Limited has received a prestigious order from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), one of the key centres of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The order marks an important milestone for the company and further strengthens India’s indigenous capabilities in critical aerospace and space-grade materials.
As part of the mandate, PTC Industries will undertake the conversion of 40 tonnes of Grade 1 titanium sponge into Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy ingots. The production will be carried out using the highly specialised Double Vacuum Arc Remelting (Double VAR) process, which is globally recognised for meeting the stringent quality, purity and performance requirements demanded by space and aerospace applications.
The order highlights ISRO’s continued emphasis on sourcing complex, mission-critical materials from domestic manufacturers while reinforcing PTC Industries’ position as a trusted supplier in India’s strategic aerospace and defence ecosystem.
The technical importance of this order lies in the use of the Vacuum Arc Remelting process, a critical secondary melting technique used for producing aerospace-grade titanium alloys. In VAR, titanium electrodes are remelted under high vacuum conditions using an electric arc. This enables precise control over chemical composition, solidification behaviour and internal cleanliness of the metal, which is essential for eliminating inclusions, dissolved gases and segregation that can adversely impact mechanical performance in high-stress environments.
The Double VAR process involves remelting the alloy twice under vacuum, resulting in exceptionally high chemical homogeneity and superior metallurgical cleanliness. This enhanced process significantly improves fatigue strength, fracture toughness and long-term reliability, making the material suitable for the most demanding space and aero-engine applications where safety margins are extremely tight.
The choice of Grade 1 titanium sponge as the starting raw material further adds to the technical robustness of the project. Its very low interstitial content is critical for producing space-grade titanium alloys, ensuring consistent mechanical properties and reliable performance under extreme thermal and structural conditions encountered during space missions.
