aircraft isothermal forging Market

The Aircraft Isothermal Forging market size is projected to reach US$ 2,041.55 million by 2028 from US$ 1,226.38 million in 2021; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2022 to 2028.

The aircraft isothermal forging market is experiencing growth, owing to the increasing preference for titanium instead of steel fabricated parts in aircraft. In the past, steel fabricated parts were commonly used by aircraft component manufacturers, which resulted in increased weight of the aircraft models. This, in turn, led to reduced fuel efficiency and higher carbon emissions. As a solution, manufacturers are turning to titanium as a lightweight substitute for steel in various aerospace applications. For instance, Airbus was able to reduce the weight of their aircraft by 400 kg by replacing steel bearings with lightweight titanium bearings. These factors are driving the growth of the aircraft isothermal forging market. Furthermore, the Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in India developed a high-strength beta titanium alloy containing aluminum, vanadium, and iron using isothermal forging techniques, which can be used in fighter jet engines. Such initiatives are contributing to the growth of the aircraft isothermal forging market.

The global aircraft isothermal forging market is being fueled by the increasing number of applications for isothermally forged parts in aircraft manufacturing. This is due to the need for aircraft manufacturers to reduce weight, which has resulted in the wide-scale adoption of isothermally forged titanium alloy parts in various applications across the industry. These applications include airframes, engine parts, compressor discs, compressor blades, fans, and shafts. The use of isothermally forged titanium alloys such as Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al, and Ti-5AI-2Sn-2Zr-4Cr-4Mo has become increasingly popular in the manufacturing of aircraft landing gear and structural components. In addition, isothermal forging of titanium alloy has important applications in manufacturing turbo-machinery components such as buckets, blades, couplings, discs, manifolds, rings, chambers, wheels, and shafts for jet turbine engines. These components are stronger than conventionally forged ones. The aircraft isothermal forging market is also driven by the increasing use of isothermally forged titanium alloy components among aircraft OEMs and MRO service providers.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Aircraft Isothermal Forging Market
The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on multiple industries, including aerospace, defense, military, and manufacturing, from which they are still recovering. The temporary suspension of operations at production facilities in the aerospace industry and aircraft manufacturing sector has negatively affected the procurement of aircraft isothermal forgings. The global aircraft manufacturing sector was affected by lockdowns, which disrupted supply chains and logistics due to the complete or partial cessation of manufacturing operations in many countries. The pandemic was the primary cause of supply chain disruptions, production losses, and reduced revenues for numerous businesses worldwide.

The aerospace industry has been one of the hardest-hit sectors globally since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. The aircraft isothermal forging industry players were particularly affected since they had to shut down their workforces to prevent the spread of COVID-19, directly impacting the market. Companies in this market had to make difficult decisions to survive during and after the pandemic. As a result of the severe impact on these companies, the aircraft isothermal forging market was negatively affected.

During the forecast period, the aircraft isothermal forging market in the US is expected to maintain its strong growth prospects. Several market players, including Bula Forge & Machine, Coulter Forge Technology, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Precision Castparts Corp., Scot Forge, and Aichi Forge USA Inc., operate in the country, contributing to its market revenue. With the world's largest defense budget, the US allocates a significant portion to procuring and implementing advanced fighter planes, leading to a surge in demand for aircraft isothermal forging. In 2021, Boeing announced the delivery of several military aircraft, such as F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet multirole fighters, KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft, and P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, manufactured in the US. The production of military assets, including the F-22, F/A-18, C-17, F-35, and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, necessitates a large amount of isothermally forged titanium. Consequently, aircraft manufacturers are increasingly utilizing isothermal forging to manufacture aircraft engines and airframe components, driving the growth of the aircraft isothermal forging market in the US. Additionally, the increasing use of isothermally forged titanium and nickel alloys for helicopter production in the US is boosting market growth.

The Asia Pacific aircraft isothermal forging market is expected to experience significant growth due to various factors such as the rising number of aircraft fleets, increasing spending on military aircraft, and the growing population and economy of the region. The adoption of isothermally forged titanium and nickel-based aircraft components is also expected to drive the market. According to Airbus, Asia Pacific will require over 17,000 new passenger and freighter aircraft, with a focus on more fuel-efficient models. This will lead to an increased demand for isothermal forging services in the region.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the domestic and international air passenger traffic in the region, but it has been on the rise since the last quarter of 2021, driving the demand for commercial, civil, and military aircraft fleets. The rising military spending in the Asia Pacific region, as reported by SIPRI, is also expected to drive the demand for aircraft isothermal forging services for new aircraft manufacturing and maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities. In 2019, the Indian Air Force issued a tender to acquire 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), which will further increase the demand for isothermally forged components. These factors are expected to drive the growth of the aircraft isothermal forging market in Asia Pacific during the forecast period.

ALD Vacuum Technologies GmbH, ATI, H.C. Starck Solutions, Leistritz Turbinentechnik GmbH, Precision Castparts Corp, SCHULER GROUP, Alcoa Corporation, Howmet Aerospace, LISI Aerospace, and SMT Limited are among the key global aircraft isothermal forging market players profiled in this market study.

The aircraft isothermal forging market size has been determined using primary and secondary sources. The research process involved exhaustive secondary research using both internal and external sources to gather qualitative and quantitative information on the aircraft isothermal forging market. This process also aimed to obtain an overview and market forecast of the aircraft isothermal forging market across all market segments. Additionally, several primary interviews were conducted with industry experts such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, national sales managers, as well as external consultants including valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders who specialize in the aircraft isothermal forging market. The primary interviews were conducted to validate the data and gain more analytical insights into the market.