Official Answer
Answer
Beta-C Titanium is used when an extreme strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance are required. It can be heat-treated to a tensile strength of 180-200 ksi while being 40% lighter than steel. Its Modulus of Elasticity ($E \approx 15 imes 10^6$ psi) is roughly half that of steel. This lower $E$ is actually an advantage for retaining rings because it allows for greater elastic deflection during installation without reaching the yield point. Beta-C also offers exceptional resistance to 'Hot Salt Stress Corrosion Cracking,' a critical failure mode in jet engine environments where rings are exposed to sea salt and temperatures up to $600^{\circ}F$.
