Alcoa boosting alloy production

NEW YORK, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Production of aluminum lithium alloys in the United States and Britain is being boosted by Alcoa to meet aerospace industry demand.

The alloys, used in forgings and sheet and plate applications in aircraft structures, result in lighter airframes.

"The demand we are seeing for aluminum lithium is an excellent example of the Alcoa Technical Advantage in action and is the result of our continued leadership in aerospace alloy development across our Alcoa aerospace businesses," said Eric Roegner, president of Alcoa Forged and Extruded Products.

"When completed, our aluminum lithium supply chain will be the premier operation in the world, capable of making the widest breadth of products in the most efficient manner."

The patented alloys were introduced last year.

Alcoa said the largest expansion of production capacity will be at a company facility in Lafayette, Ind. The plant being built is adjacent to the current facility and will be able to produce more than 20,000 metric tons of aluminum lithium.

"In addition to producing a wide range of billet sizes up to 33 inches in diameter, we will also be able to produce slab capable of producing wing skin plate and fuselage sheet for any current or planned commercial air program," said Roegner. "Our process, thermal and filtration systems all will be state-of-the-art."

Alcoa said it is investing more than $90 million in the project.

It said production capacity of aluminum lithium is being increased by 30 percent at its technology center in Pennsylvania, while plant upgrades are being performed at its facility in Kitts Green, England, to create additional casting capacity.