For the first time in more than two years, the raw material surcharge on standard aerospace titanium is rising.

The Allvac unit of Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI) informed customers that its first-quarter charge on 6 aluminum/4 vanadium bar has risen 13 percent to $3.92 per pound from $3.47 per pound in the fourth quarter last year. Monroe, N.C.-based Allvac is considered a major producer of bar. The last time the 6/4 surcharge increased was in August 2006, when it rose 2 cents to a high of $23.34 per pound. In 2008, Allvac revised its surcharges to a quarterly vs. monthly basis.