The Aluminum Association, Arlington, Va., announces the addition of three companies to the organization’s membership.  Scotwood Industries, Page Transportation, and Alloy Technology Innovations, each of which provides goods or services to the aluminum industry, will join the Association as Associate members.  These additions bring total membership of the Aluminum Association to a record 98 members, consisting of 51 producer and 47 associate members.

RTI International Metals Inc., Pittsburgh, has acquired the Osborn Steel Extrusions business unit of Osborn Metals Ltd., UK, for approximately $15 million in cash. Osborn Steel Extrusions specializes in the manufacture of less than 6-in. diameter extruded titanium and stainless steel hollows and near-net shape profile parts. It principally supplies commercial aerospace, energy, power generation, and defense customers.

Aichelin Group, Modling, Austria, announces that a new order for a 1500-kg electrically heated quench furnace installation has been received from Renault Nissan Automotive Ltd., for its automotive assembly plant in Chennai, India.  The order reportedly consists of four sealed quench furnaces and accessories, including a tempering and preheating furnace, a washer, and other related equipment, to be supplied in phases until April 2015.

Infinium Metals Inc., Natick, Mass., has received a grant from ARPA-E and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to commercialize its Pure Oxygen Anode technology. The process is said to enable three to five times higher production output per footprint than conventional processes, with virtually no emissions. It reduces cost by cutting in half the energy required and by eliminating the need for consumable graphite anodes.

Researchers at Cambridge University, England, announce that they have designed a class of iron alloys in which a high density of strong interfaces can be created by heat treatment alone. In this nanostructure-controlled high-strength bainitic steel, the thickness of bainitic ferrite platelets is controlled between 20 and 50 nm. Nanostructured super bainitic steel achieves the extremely high strength of 2.5 GPa by heating at 200°C for ten days.

Wall Colmonoy, Madison Heights, Mich., announces its turnkey roller coating solution, an automated, cost-effective brazing paste application process for large-tolerance non-flat surfaces such as those on catalytic converters. The R&D department works directly with customers to develop the right customized paste, a blend of Nicrobraz filler metal powders mixed with gel S’ Binder , for specific applications.

NASA’s microgravity materials science program supports materials research conducted on the International Space Station (ISS). The orbital conditions on the ISS provide an environment where gravity-driven phenomena such as buoyancy-driven fluid flows and sedimentation are nearly negligible. NASA is planning to hold a workshop on its microgravity materials science program on January 7-8 in the Washington, D.C. area.

Alcoa, Pittsburgh, and VSMPO-AVISMA Corp., Russia, have agreed to join forces to meet growing demand for high-end titanium and aluminum products for aircraft manufacturers worldwide. Once formed, the joint venture will combine Alcoa’s expertise in manufacturing value-add products with VSMPO-AVISMA’s global leadership in titanium production to manufacture high-end aerospace goods, such as landing gear and forged wing components, at Alcoa’s plant in Samara.

As a focused speck of light in the lab of Oscar Abilez at Stanford University, Calif., shines on a cluster of heart cells, they expand and contract-demonstrating the rhythm of a heart can be controlled using just light. Currently, four million Americans suffer from some degree of cardiac arrhythmia, wherein a person’s heart beats too slowly, too quickly, or at irregular intervals. Such heart rhythm problems can cause a shortness of breath, fainting and, in worst-case scenarios, death.

Mack Trucks Inc., Greensboro, N.C., has developed a completely new wheel suspension in which conventional leaf springs are replaced by two Y-shaped components made of advanced high-strength steel. It results in improved roll stability, as well as reduced braking distance and bogie weight.  Tire wear is considerably reduced, which leads to major improvements in transport economy and environmental performance.The component is a finalist in the SSAB Swedish Steel Prize competition.

Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., announces that it was recognized as Associate Member of the Year by the Metal Treating Institute at its annual Fall Meeting held Oct. 10-13 in Las Vegas. Each year, MTI recognizes the supplier within its membership that has exemplified the highest levels of support and service to MTI members and the Institute with their expertise, service, and commitment to the mission and objectives of the Metal Treating Institute.

Solar Atmospheres of California (SCA), Fontana, is now an approved supplier for Rolls Royce and Pratt & Whitney aircraft engine manufacturers. In addition to these prime approvals, SCA has expanded its Boeing approvals to include BAC 5616, BAC 5617, BAC 5619, DPS 5.00 LOW, DPS 5.00 HIGH, and DPS 6.33. Solar’s Southern California facility was built to service the aerospace industry.