The jet engine had revolutionized aircraft development and the demand for titanium had created an entire new industry. Therefore, the company continued research on fabricating titanium. One of the more promising techniques was to use an electroplate coating on the titanium stock before heating for forging to seal the titanium surface from the atmosphere. This created an interest in electroplating which would lead to other developments. First came an interest in electrochemical machining (ECM). A year of working with Battelle Memorial Institute produced evidence that ECM could remove metal to controlled dimensions with accuracy and speed.

However, only a requirement for the same forging die over and over again would make ECM economical as a toolmaking process. At about this same time the forge plant was approached by a large aircraft engine manufacturer to quote on experimental compressor blades. These blades were too thin to forge and machining experts believed tool pressure from cutting or grinding would distort or warp the dimensions. Steel Improvement engineers then asked Battelle to switch its research from toolmaking to a production process for airfoils and it worked. The resulting engine powered the U-2 spy plane (P&W J75 turbojet). Eventually patents were granted to the company for the ECM principle. The company's ECM Department has a competitive advantage on appropriate parts such as the hydraulic actuator cylinders which operate the control surfaces of the Boeing 757.

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