Alcoa to acquire RTI International Metals
March 11, 2015
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Alcoa, Pittsburgh, announces that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire RTI International Metals Inc., to grow its value-add businesses and to further strengthen its aerospace portfolio. RTI will expand Alcoa's range of titanium offerings and add advanced technologies and materials, increasing the company's position as a leading industrial innovator.
The acquisition will offer Alcoa financial benefits with realized net synergies of about $100 million in 2019, primarily driven by procurement and productivity improvements, leveraging Alcoa's global shared services and driving profitable growth. Alcoa expects RTI to contribute $1.2 billion in revenues in 2019, up from $794 million generated in 2014, with 65 percent of revenues supported by contracts over the next five years. RTI is expected to reach profitability of 25 percent EBITDA margin in 2019, up from 14.5 percent in 2014.
This transaction is expected to enable Alcoa to capitalize on strong growth in the commercial aerospace sector. Alcoa projects a compounded annual global aerospace market growth rate of 5 to 6 percent through 2019 and sees a current 9-year production order book for commercial jets at 2014 delivery rates.
RTI grows Alcoa's pro forma 2014 annual aerospace revenues by 13 percent, up from $5 billion to $5.6 billion. RTI is expected to increase Alcoa's 2014 pro forma aerospace revenues to 37 percent of value-add sales, up from 35 percent. Alcoa's aerospace business is the largest contributor to Alcoa's value-add businesses.
Eighty percent of RTI's revenues in 2014 were from the aerospace and defense industries, with the balance mainly split between other markets including energy and medical devices, complementing Alcoa's growth markets.
www.alcoa.com
Alcoa, Pittsburgh, announces that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire RTI International Metals Inc., to grow its value-add businesses and to further strengthen its aerospace portfolio.
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SRI working to produce titanium powder in a single step by reacting TiCl4 with hydrogen
March 3, 2015
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SRI International, Menlo Park, Calif., is reportedly developing an advanced process in which titanium tetrachloride and other metal chlorides are reacted with hydrogen to produce titanium or titanium alloy granules in a single step. The process is based on a multi-arc fluidized bed reactor (MAFBR) developed by SRI. If successful, the process will reduce the cost, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions associated with Ti alloy production.
In the process, plasma arcs facilitate reactions between molecules of hydrogen and titanium tetrachloride, a chemical produced from titanium ore. "Arcs, like lightning bolts, crack the hydrogen, producing atomic hydrogen that can readily react," says Barbara Heydorn, senior director of the Energy Center at SRI. The reactions produce titanium vapor that quickly solidifies and forms titanium powder.
With funding from ARPA-E's Modern Electro/Thermochemical Advances in Light-Metal Systems (METALS) Program, SRI built and tested a proof-of-concept system and conducted a techno-economic analysis.
The process could enable the production of alloys that cannot be produced with conventional technology, providing engineers with a larger portfolio of materials. The technology can be used to manufacture alloys other than Ti alloys, as well as composites based on a metal alloy matrix with dispersion of a ceramic phase.
SRI has so far demonstrated a small-scale version of the process for producing pure titanium. It's currently working on a two-stage process to improve yields and lower costs before attempting to scale it up.
www.sri.com
SRI International, Menlo Park, Calif., is reportedly developing an advanced process in which titanium tetrachloride and other metal chlorides are reacted with hydrogen to produce titanium or titanium alloy granules in a single step.
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Tinius Olsen universal testing machines feature dual pressure and digital control
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Tinius Olsen, Horsham, Pa., introduces its all-new SL series of hydraulic universal testing machines that feature a patented dual-pressure hydraulic loading system and four-column construction for high loadframe rigidity. With advanced digital control, load accuracy has been enhanced and should be better than 0.1% of the displayed reading within the operating range of 0.2% to 100% of the frame capacity.
SL machines are controlled by a range of user interface options, including Bluetooth wireless, tethered interface, or a virtual interface running on a connected PC. Tinius Olsen's Horizon software can be added to any system for accessing a library of standardized test routines, for generating complete graphical results of a test, and for performing sophisticated powerful analyses on the test data to produce test reports. Horizon is networkable and scalable, so operators can manage equipment and review test results from multiple sources and locations.
A variety of standard capacities ensure accommodation of a range of testing needs. For rapid sequence production testing within the range of 150 to 1000 kN (30,000 to 200,000 lbf), Tinius Olsen offers SL versions with open-front crossheads and/or fixed position crossheads.
The SL series is also highly customizable for many other applications. For instance, columns and screws can be lengthened and crossheads can be made adjustable to meet specific requirements. The extensive range of grip designs ensures careful matching to application. Other options include hydraulically actuated lever grips, accordion-type, non-metallic screw covers, tooling for tension, compression, and other tests, a broad range of instrumentation, and furnaces.
www.TiniusOlsen.com
Tinius Olsen, Horsham, Pa., introduces its all-new SL series of hydraulic universal testing machines that feature a patented dual-pressure hydraulic loading system and four-column construction for high loadframe rigidity.
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Ipsen provides range of atmosphere furnaces for North American market
February 25, 2015
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Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., reports that since 2010, the company has successfully installed more than 50 atmosphere furnaces, as well as temper and auxiliary equipment throughout North America. Atmosphere furnaces provide the flexibility to carburize, nitride, and harden a wide range of parts with different materials, case depths, hardenability, and geometries.
These installations include single- and double-chamber sealed quench, vertical retort, pusher, and box furnaces. For example, Ipsen pusher furnaces drive parts through the full carburizing and nitriding processes, including preheating, washing, tempering and cooling, all in a fully-automated, "lights-out" system with customized layouts.
Ipsen has one of the largest installed bases of atmosphere furnaces in the United States – several thousand since its founding in 1948. – Ipsen continues to deliver atmosphere solutions that meet a range of customer needs. These installations were designed for a range of applications and industries – automotive, aerospace, commercial, and energy.
For Ipsen, a key part of innovating is listening to the specific needs and challenges of their customers and then providing ideal solutions that meet those needs. As companies are faced with constantly evolving requirements and processes, nothing is more essential than finding heat-treating equipment that provides the necessary solutions.
www.IpsenUSA.com/Atmosphere.
Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., reports that since 2010, the company has successfully installed more than 50 atmosphere furnaces, as well as temper and auxiliary equipment throughout North America.
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AK Steel to invest $36 million in Research and Innovation Center
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AK Steel, West Chester, Ohio, announces that it will invest $36 million build a new world-class Research and Innovation Center in Middletown, Ohio. The 120,000 square foot facility will be constructed on a 15-acre site located in the Cincinnati–Dayton growth corridor along Interstate 75. It will replace the company's existing research facility that is located at another site in Middletown.
The new facility will be home to the company's approximately 75 researchers, scientists, and engineers who will carry out cutting-edge research, applications engineering, advanced engineering, product development, and customer technical services. The facility will also house pilot lines that simulate the company's steel manufacturing operations, ranging from melting and casting, to hot- and cold-rolling, to final finishing. The pilot lines are used for research, enhancing existing products, problem-solving in production, and experimentation for new and improved products.
"Our talented researchers, scientists and engineers are already working to develop such innovative products as next-generation advanced high-strength steels," says James L. Wainscott, Chairman, President, and CEO. "They also are developing high-efficiency electrical steels that will help the nation's electricity grid become more energy-efficient, and new stainless steels that offer superior corrosion resistance for a wide variety of applications. The new research and innovation center will enhance our capabilities to bring these products to the marketplace."
AK Steel said groundbreaking for its new research and innovation center is planned for the late spring or early summer of 2015. The project is subject to final state and local government approvals.
The company also announced two changes in executive leadership, effective immediately:
Eric S. Petersen, 46, has been named Vice President, Research and Innovation. Mr. Petersen was previously Vice President, Sales and Customer Service.
Scott M. Lauschke, 45, has been named Vice President, Sales and Customer Service. Mr. Lauschke joins AK Steel from his previous position as Vice President and General Manager of AFGlobal Corporation and spent 15 years at The Timken Company in a variety of leadership roles.
www.aksteel.com.
AK Steel, West Chester, Ohio, announces that it will invest $36 million build a new world-class Research and Innovation Center in Middletown, Ohio.
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American Specialty Alloys to build $2.4 billion aluminum mill complex
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American Specialty Alloys Inc., Baton Rouge, La., plans to develop a $2.4 billion mill and campus in Central Louisiana to provide aluminum for the automotive and aerospace industries. Plans include a melting and casting mill; hot- and cold-rolling mills for sheet and plate; and annealing, slit, and cut-to-length production lines. Mill specifications call for production of 1.3 billion pounds of aluminum per year at full operation.
ASA plans to construct its manufacturing facility at a 1200-acre mill complex owned and formerly operated by International Paper in Pineville, Louisiana. ASA expects to break ground later this year, with a targeted completion date of all facilities in 2020. ASA estimates development of the aluminum mill will generate 2,000 construction jobs.
ASA selected the former IP containerboard mill property in Pineville after evaluating competing sites in Texas, Alabama and Mississippi. Danieli Group has been selected to provide technology services and mill equipment, while Yates Construction LLC has been tapped to build the mill facilities. The company has secured additional partners to provide materials sourcing, fabrication and logistics services: Advanced Processes Inc., American Specialty Processing LLC, Columbus Recycling Corp. and others to be announced later. ASA already has begun hiring for professional roles associated with the Louisiana project. The company plans to begin significant hiring of production jobs for the aluminum mill in 2016.
www.asametals.com
American Specialty Alloys Inc., Baton Rouge, La., plans to develop a $2.4 billion mill and campus in Central Louisiana to provide aluminum for the automotive and aerospace industries.
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Solar Atmospheres wins renewal of Sikorsky approved-supplier status
February 16, 2015
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Solar Atmospheres Inc., Souderton, Pa., has received renewed approved-supplier status from Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., with a two-year certification. Solar is approved to provide heat treatment of titanium, and carburizing grade materials and aircraft grade steels in accordance with various AMS and Sikorsky specifications. In addition to maintaining current approvals, Solar also gained full approval for laboratory testing, metallography, and micro-hardness testing for Sikorsky products.
"Solar Atmospheres has been Sikorsky-approved since the 1990s," says Mike Moyer, Director of Sales at Solar Atmospheres. "Over the years, Solar's investment in R&D and process development has attracted the attention of Sikorsky and other prime aerospace companies, resulting in an expansion of our work scope. Solar's Low Pressure Vacuum Carburizing process is a perfect example of our ever-expanding capabilities and subsequent approvals."
www.solaratm.com
Solar Atmospheres Inc., Souderton, Pa., has received renewed approved-supplier status from Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., with a two-year certification.
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Vac Aero receives orders for three replacement hot zones
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Vac Aero, Burlington, Ontario, recently received orders for three complete all-metal hot zone refurbishments for customers in Florida, Connecticut, and Indiana. The companies are in the aerospace, medical, and commercial heat treatment industry sectors. The retrofit work is for two horizontal and one vertical furnace.
The hot zones feature unitized construction for easy removal and maintenance. The lightweight design's low thermal mass enables faster quenching and longer life. The heat shield package consists of one layer of 0.020 in. thick lanthanated molybdenum (Mola) sheet backed by one layer of 0.010 in. thick molybdenum sheet, and three layers of 0.014 in. stainless steel sheet.
The heat shield package is supported by a 14 gauge stainless steel assembly that also acts as a manifold to distribute the quenching gas uniformly throughout the workload. Built for rugged usage and low maintenance, Vac Aero hot zones feature unitized construction for easy removal and maintenance.
www.vacaero.com
Vac Aero, Burlington, Ontario, recently received orders for three complete all-metal hot zone refurbishments for customers in Florida, Connecticut, and Indiana.
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NIST is recalibrating and restoring its million-pound deadweight machine
February 11, 2015
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The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Washington, reports that, for the first time in half a century, its one million pounds-force deadweight machine – the largest in the world – is being disassembled for cleaning, restoration, and recalibration. The first stage of the process, dismantling the top half of the three-story stack of weights, is now complete and the individual pieces are being cleaned in preparation for recalibration.
Customers who rely on this unique machine include U.S. aerospace manufacturers, U.S. military laboratories, and several top-end commercial force-calibration labs, which have performed hundreds or thousands of calibrations, all directly traceable to NIST.
Built in 1965, the deadweight system consists of a stack of 20 stainless steel discs a little less than ten feet in diameter when assembled. Their average mass is just over 50,000 pounds each.
In addition to cleaning and recalibration, some of the surfaces deep within the weight stack are being restored by minor machining to permit more free operation at those interfaces. Theorists are also modeling the stack to give researchers insight into the deflections where the stresses are highest.
Dismantling the weight stack took several weeks, because each piece had to be unbolted and carefully lifted with a series of cranes. Watch the video reel (at right) for highlights of the disassembly process.
www.nist.gov
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Washington, reports that, for the first time in half a century, its one million pounds-force deadweight machine – the largest in the world – is being disassembled for cleaning, restoration, and recalibration.
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Solar Atmospheres of California receives Safran/Snecma approval
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Solar Atmospheres of Fontana, Calif., announces that it has attained approved-supplier status for Safran/Snecma. Solar received approval for stress relieving, solution heat treating, normalizing, homogenization annealing, aging, stabilizing, and sub-zero processing. It has also been approved for austenitizing quenching for steel, nickel-base alloys, and cobalt-base alloys. Only a limited number of companies in the United States has received Safran/Snecma approved-supplier status.
"I'm very pleased to add Safran/Snecma approval to our growing list of quality approvals," says Derek Dennis, president of Solar Atmospheres of California. "Along with expanding our current capacity, our dedicated quality department continues to work diligently on obtaining new approvals to support new programs coming online in 2015. This approval was a long time in the making; Solar's internal quality system was capable of meeting all the detailed requirements of this world class aerospace supplier."
www.solaratm.com
Solar Atmospheres of Fontana, Calif., announces that it has attained approved-supplier status for Safran/Snecma.
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