Message posted by psiuh88 on March 26, 2007 at 18:10:49 PST:

as some SR-71 afficionados and those who worked on the plane may know, much of the skin was covered with an alloy of titanium generally known as Ti-13V-11Cr-3Al (it is a beta alloy of titanium with very good elevated temperature propeties such as tensiles and minimal oxidation).
was there any examples of the aircraft having their fuselage skins or other major structural members replaced in the lifetimes, prior to being retired?

this particular alloy of titanium is not made much these days. there are other alloys that are slightly easier to make that offer similar if not superior performance.

Replies:

• Re: SR-71 - and Ti-13V-11Cr-3Al - replace skins? Habu-e6 08/17/2007, 9:12:45 PST (0)
• Re: SR-71 - and Ti-13V-11Cr-3Al - replace skins? JB737 03/27/2007, 0:32:45 PST (0)
• Re: SR-71 - and Ti-13V-11Cr-3Al - replace skins? Peter Merlin 03/26/2007, 19:50:48 PST (0)