With a high strength-to-weight ratio, titanium may be the element investors need to up the robustness of their holdings.

Rising demand has caused titanium prices to more than double over the past three years and shares of titanium producers have flourished, especially in the case of Dynamic Materials Corporation (Nasdaq:BOOM) and Brush Engineered Materials Inc. (NYSE:BW). These companies meld titanium with less expensive metals to create so-called clad metals offering titanium’s strength and corrosion-resistance at a more affordable price. 

Once thought exotic, titanium is now frequently sought by engineers in the energy, chemical, industrial and electronics industries because stricter emissions standards have forced industry players to raise processing temperatures and use corrosion-resistant metals in equipment designs. In addition to being corrosion-resistant, titanium is as strong as steel, about 45% lighter and offers superior thermal and conductive qualities. Clad metals also allow manufacturers to maintain delivery schedules when titanium is in short supply since less prime metal is used.

Dynamic Materials is the world’s leading provider of explosion-clad metal plating. This process uses an explosive charge to bond metals that can not be joined by welding. Clad metal plates consist of a thin layer of corrosion-resistant metal (such as titanium) bonded with a thicker, less expensive base metal such as carbon steel. Rising capital investment and equipment demand in the energy, refining, mineral processing . . .

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