Alcoa develops new alloys for super jumbo jetliners. (Aluminum).(has contract with Airbus)

Purchasing, July, 2002 by Stundza, Tom

Alcoa Inc. has been awarded some new-generation material contracts for the next-generation Airbus 380 super-jumbo jetliner, and has begun work with Boeing on new materials options for its next-generation aircraft. Alcoa actually has been focusing new-product development for the past several years on advanced aluminum alloys designed to provide airplane builders with lightweight structural metallics capable of competing with composite materials, according to Pat Hassey, executive vice president.

Of course, such competitors as Pechiney of France are involved in new-alloy developments as well. But Alcoa already has received purchasing commitments from Airbus for its new aluminum-based alloys designed to beat rival composite materials on weight-a key...

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