Development of Light Metal Industry in India

Abstract

During the last decade, considerable strides have been made in the technology of light metals, such as, aluminium, magnesium and titanium, etc.,and billions of pounds of these light alloys are being utilised in the aircraft, automotive, electronic and other industries, both as cast and wrought products.Magnesium has earned a key role in the production of high speed planes, missiles and rockets and in the age of sputniks and explorers, magnesium has got a bright future by virtue of its light weight and its amenability to heat-treatment when alloyed with other elements, zinc, zirconium, etc. Titanium and its alloys have also acquired great importance as wonder metal of the present age due to their excellent corrosion resistance properties and light weight combined with strength. Beryllium-another member of the light metal family which was till recently regarded as a rare metal, has been found as valuable alloy in atomic reactors as a moderator and reflector along with graphite and heavy water, and as a possible structural material in aircraft, missiles and space vehicles. Nuclear scientists and aircraft technicians have found hopes for increasing the use of beryllium and demand for the metal is stimulating interest in finding new deposits of beryllium. The paper reviews the trend in world production of aluminium, magn-esium, titanium, beryllium, etc. and makes a critical ass-essment of Indian light metal industry and scope for its development in the context of raw material resources and in the background of production pattern followed in other countries.