Renishaw and Aeromet work to optimise high-performance alloy

Renishaw and Aeromet International Limited today announce a collaboration to establish additive manufacturing process parameters and material properties for Aeromet's A20X® aluminium alloy. Following a successful debut at the Paris Air Show, last month, the two companies are working together to optimise the processing techniques for the high-performance alloy on Renishaw metal additive manufacturing (AM) systems. They are also investigating a range of heat treatment regimes to deliver optimum properties in additively manufactured components. The results of these developments will be made available to Renishaw and Aeromet customers.

A20X® is a family of next generation high-strength aluminium alloy technologies, developed and patented by Aeromet. The A20X® family includes the Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardisation (MMPDS) approved A205 casting alloy and AM205 powder for additive manufacturing. A20X® is an aluminium-copper alloy with a highly-refined microstructure and a unique solidification mechanism, giving it greater strength, fatigue and thermal characteristics compared to other alloys. Originally developed as a casting alloy, A20X® cast parts are available today from Aeromet and a global network of licensees. A20X® powder is available for use in additive manufacturing. More details can be found at www.a20x.co.uk

Mike Bond, Director of AMT a Division of Aeromet said, "A20X is being rapidly adopted for additive manufacture of aero engine, airframe, space, defence and automotive parts. It's unique combination of high strength, high ductility and performance at high operating temperatures make it ideal for light-weight, stressed components. We look forward to making processing techniques for this innovative alloy more widely available to accelerate its adoption."

Marc Saunders, Director of Global Solutions Centres at Renishaw added, "Renishaw's metal AM systems feature high power lasers, an inert processing environment and open parameters, making them ideal for supporting innovative new materials like A20X. We are working closely with Aeromet to qualify this exciting new alloy on our machines. Through our network of AM Solutions Centres, we can help manufacturers to develop industrial AM processes using A20X."

The two companies plan to release processing techniques and material properties information in the coming months.