Alcoa to acquire Firth Rixson for its aerospace forging capabilities

July 9, 2014
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Alcoa, Pittsburgh, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Firth Rixson, a global leader in aerospace jet engine components, from Oak Hill Capital Partners, for $2.85 billion in cash and stock. Firth Rixson currently holds the number one global position in seamless rolled jet engine rings, engineered from nickel-based superalloys and titanium, and is a major supplier of jet engine forgings. Through Firth Rixson, Alcoa enters into a highly specialized segment of jet engine forgings that require isothermal forging technology.

Isothermally forged parts are increasingly required in jet engines that use elevated turbine temperatures to maximize power output, drive fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Demand for large isothermal aerospace engine disks is expected to triple in the next eight years driven by strong aerospace build rates.

Firth Rixson has a strong portfolio of world-class assets that complements and deepens Alcoa's penetration of the growing aerospace market. Firth Rixson has gained share in each successive generation of engine platforms through its strong market position in rings and significant investment in isothermal forging. It is also one of the world's leading suppliers of vacuum melted superalloys used to make aerospace, industrial gas turbine, oil and gas products, and structural components for landing gear applications.

Firth Rixson recently entered this segment with the development of the state-of-the art Savannah, Georgia facility, which includes a 19.5k ton isothermal press and a 33k ton conventional forge press for other large aerospace components.

Approximately 75 percent of Firth Rixson's revenues in 2013 were from the aerospace industry, with the balance split between other markets such as industrial gas turbine, commercial transportation and oil and gas, complementing Alcoa's growth markets.

www.alcoa.com

CMI Industry to provide furnace to develop new heat treatments for aerospace alloys

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CMI Industry Groupe, Belgium, parent company of CMI Industry Americas, Salem, Ohio, announces that it will provide a heat treatment furnace at the Advanced Forming Research Center in Glasgow, Scotland, to carry out a range of combustion tests to develop new metal processing techniques for aerospace alloys. A single furnace can be equipped with multiple atmospheres to allow processing of many products in a single furnace. The furnace can be heated by various means: direct gas fired, gas-fired radiant tubes, or electric elements. It can be equipped with jet cooling to allow for varied control of cooling rates required for different processes.

The Advanced Forming Research Center was founded by global aerospace companies such as Boeing, Rolls Royce, and Timet. The objectives are to develop methods of fabrication and processing that will improve the performance of aerospace structures.

CMI Industry has also been chosen by Areva for the modernizing of the heat treatment line of CEZUS Rugles (Eure, France), dedicated to zirconium metallurgy. CMI intervention will increase the performance of the line, especially at the cooling chamber. CMI Industry is supporting the design and implementation of this modernization and relies on teams from CMI Services for dismantling and reassembly of equipment. The upgraded line will begin in August 2014.

http://www.cmigroupe.com/en/contact ;   [email protected]

25th AeroMat Conference Features Tuskegee Airman

June 27, 2014
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The 25th AeroMat Conference and Exposition, held June 16-19 in Orlando, Fla., featured a theme of "the latest word in aerospace materials." The well attended conference offered forward looking plenary sessions, multiple presentations about additive manufacturing, and more than 200 papers on topics ranging from aluminum, magnesium, and titanium to high-strength steels, high-temperature alloys, and thermomechanical processing.

As part of the festivities, ASM International, Materials Park, Ohio, and Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI), Pittsburgh, partnered to put on an outstanding VIP reception featuring Lieutenant Colonel Leo Gray, one of 27 remaining Tuskegee Airmen from World War II. Gray shared some very interesting, funny, and personal stories from his time flying P-51 Mustangs over Germany, during nearly four years of active duty. Several tales involved combat missions, downing of German aircraft, and the oppressive racial prejudice so prevalent during the 1940s. Many audience members asked questions and encouraged Gray to keep telling stories, which he gladly did. As a parting gift, ASM and ATI gave away custom prints of a P-51 aircraft drawing made by aviation artist Ernie Boyette and signed by Lt. Col. Gray.

The catered event was enjoyed by all attendees and serves as a stark reminder of why aerospace innovation remains such an important endeavor. For more information, visit asminternational.org and atimetals.com.

Image caption - Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Leo Gray (left) with Phil Morton of ATI.

Alcoa to expand investment casting of superalloy jet engine blades

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Alcoa, Pittsburgh, announces that it is investing $25 million at its Alcoa Power and Propulsion facility in Hampton, Virginia, to scale up its enhanced equiax investment casting technology. Alcoa will add equipment for a new production line and modify existing machinery at the Hampton facility to produce nickel-base superalloy jet-engine blades that weigh 20% less and significantly improve aerodynamic performance.

Alcoa developed this enhanced equiax investment casting following five years of research and development. The technology involves preheating the ceramic molds to a temperature below the metal solidification temperature, so that when the mold is filled the solidification rate can be controlled. Made primarily of nickel-based superalloys, the lighter and more aerodynamically efficient blades can be used to retrofit existing or build next-generation aircraft engines. The casting facility in Hampton is the leading producer of complex investment cast turbine airfoils for the industrial gas turbine industry, as well as large nickel and titanium structural castings for aerospace engines.

The Company will use the latest in advanced manufacturing technology such as robotics and digital x-ray for enhanced product inspection. The expansion will begin this month and is expected to be complete by the fourth quarter of 2015. The Company expects to add at least 75 new, full-time employees over three years.

 http://www.alcoa.com/hampton

Vac Aero vacuum furnace with six-bar argon-nitrogen quench system shipped to aerospace manufacturer

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Vac Aero International Inc., Burlington, Ontario, announces that it has shipped a VAV 7260 HV-6 vertical bottom loading vacuum furnace with a work chamber 72 in. diameter by 60 in. high to an aerospace manufacturer. The furnace includes a high-vacuum pumping system and a six-bar argon and nitrogen quench system designed to incorporate unique performance features. The cooling nozzle configuration and location have been engineered to improve gas penetration into the workload, gas velocity, and cooling speed.

The energy-efficient graphite hot zone is capable of processing temperatures up to 2400°F. The heavy duty hearth is constructed with quickly removable rails of pure molybdenum capable of handling distributed loads up to 4000 lb. The furnace operating system is based on VAC AERO's versatile HC900 interactive hybrid control package with SCADA and complete network integration capabilities and remote monitoring and control.

www.vacaero.com