As leading naval shipbuilders and submarine manufacturers transition to materials that ensure seawater corrosion-free performance and long-term cost efficiency, CASTINGPAR, a world leader in titanium centrifugal casting, provides the optimal solution. With its world-leading centrifugal vacuum furnace technology, CASTINGPAR delivers large titanium castings (up to 450Kg – 1000 lb) that minimize maintenance, extend operational lifespans, and align with the evolving requirements of naval forces.
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Why Leading Navies Are Choosing Titanium for Future-Ready Fleets
Navies worldwide are prioritizing material choices that reduce fleet maintenance costs while maximizing mission-readiness. According to Philippe Hoste, Castingpar’s CEO, “Naval forces are making the strategic shift to titanium because it ensures long-term reliability and cost.”
Titanium’s exceptional seawater corrosion resistance, durability, and weight efficiency make it the preferred material for critical naval applications. Traditional materials like stainless steel and duplex steel often fail under prolonged exposure to high-temperature and high-pressure environments. Bernard Magnus, Senior Technical Advisor at Castingpar, explains, “Titanium resists pitting and crevice seawater corrosion even at temperatures up to 130°C, ensuring unmatched longevity and operational performance.”
With titanium, navies can significantly reduce unplanned maintenance and extend asset service life, allowing personnel to focus on operational readiness rather than costly repairs.
Ensuring Mission Success in Next-Generation Submarines
As modern warships and submarines increase in size and complexity, the demands on their onboard systems also grow. Critical components – such as pumps, valves, and heat exchangers – not only increase in scale but must also balance reliability, weight efficiency, and seawater corrosion resistance. The challenge lies in selecting materials that can withstand these evolving requirements while remaining cost-effective.
“This is where titanium proves indispensable,” says Philippe Hoste. “With the highest strength-to-weight ratio and the highest seawater-corrosion resistance of any metal, it enables naval platforms to maintain agility and fuel efficiency without compromising long-term durability.” By integrating titanium components, navies ensure extended service life, fewer component replacements, and enhanced operational effectiveness.
The Cost-Smart Choice: Lowering Naval Lifecycle Expenses
Total cost of ownership (TCO) is a key decision driver for naval procurement. Recognizing the advantages of titanium, several leading naval forces, including the U.S. Navy, have already adopted titanium castings for their high-strength properties and corrosion resistance which in turn, significantly reduce the replacement needed and ultimately, the downtime costs. A comparative analysis highlights the long-term financial and operational benefits:
| Material | Initial Cost | Replacement costs | Lifespan | Total Cost Over 25 Years | Operational Impact |
| Titanium Castings | $50,000 | $25,000 | >15 years | $0.3M | Minimal maintenance, near-zero downtime |
| Duplex Steel | $30,000 | $100,000 | Requires 4+ replacements | $3.5M | Frequent dry-docking due to corrosion |
| Resin-Coated Steel | $20,000 | $125,000 | Full replacement every 4 years | $5.5M | High maintenance interruptions |
Purchase equivalent of titanium price of 50.000$ – based on CASTINGPAR’s data
High-Performance Titanium Castings for Mission-Critical Systems
Castingpar specializes in large titanium castings for submarine and warship components. With world-leading titanium centrifugal casting capabilities—including sand casting and investment/lost-wax casting—the company produces parts up to 2.6m (8.5 ft) in diameter and 450 kg (1,000 lbs). Key applications include:
- Pump Housings & Impellers – Ensuring reliable operation in high-pressure seawater environments.
- Heat Exchanger Channel Heads – Essential for cooling systems, eliminating corrosion-related failures.
- Sonar Antenna Casings – Providing robust, corrosion-free enclosures for seawater-exposed detection systems.
- Fire Extinguisher System Parts – Engineered for flawless performance in critical safety applications.
Thanks to its high-pressure centrifugal foundry, CASTINGPAR’s castings benefits from homogeneous metallurgical structures and mechanical properties that exceed industry standards. Hence, their castings are built to last.
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About CASTINGPAR – SETTAS
SETTAS, a division of CASTINGPAR, operates the world’s largest centrifugal titanium foundry. Based in Belgium, the company specializes for 40 y+ years in naval and aerospace applications for NATO-friendly partners. CEO Philippe Hoste states, “Key naval defence players value our ability to respond with agility and technical expertise. As part of the CASTINGPAR Group, SETTAS also benefits from the stability and resources of a multinational company employing over 250 people.”
CASTINGPAR is ITAR compliant.
Engage with CASTINGPAR at UDT 2025 and SAS 2025
- Meet us at UDT 2025 (Oslo, March 25-27, Booth B47) – UDT is the largest event for underwater defence technology. Attend our conference to explore how titanium is redefining naval engineering: “How Leading Navies Are Using Titanium in Submarines” – March 27, 11:30 AM.
- Meet us at Sea Air Space 2025 (April 7-9, Washington DC) – the largest naval defense event in North America.
Looking to discuss your specific requirements before / during / after these events?
Contact: Baptiste Falmagne – baptiste.falmagne@castingpar.com
