AlTi Forge, the joint venture formed by Alcoa and VSMPO-Avisma in 2013, reported recently it has started producing titanium forgings for aircraft parts at Samara, Russia, having gained all the necessary regulatory consents from the Russian government. Its strategy is to manufacture large titanium and aluminum alloy forgings for commercial aircraft manufacturers, including landing-gear beams and wing pylons.
Reportedly, the venture intends to develop forgings in titanium aluminide (TiAl), a highly heat-resistant alloy that is much lighter than alternative nickel alloy materials.
Alcoa’s complex in Samara, Russia — which is designated to be part of the forthcoming spin-off organization, Arconic — casts aluminum slabs and billets, rolls aluminum sheet and flat-rolled coils, and produces extrusions and forgings. Included among its products are aluminum closed-die forgings up to 3.5 metric tons and open-die forgings up to 14.5 metric tons, for aircraft, aerospace, and power generation.
“Alcoa’s expertise in advanced aluminum and titanium alloys for the aerospace industry, combined with VSMPO-Avisma’s global leadership in titanium production, form a strong partnership. Through this joint venture, we are growing Alcoa’s range of multi-material offerings to enhance the competitiveness of our aerospace business and position it for continued profitable growth,” stated Maxim Smirnov, president of Alcoa Russia.
VSMPO-Avisma is an integrated mining and metallurgy group, and the world’s largest producer of titanium ingots and forged products. It has long-term titanium supply agreements in place with major OEMs in the commercial aircraft sector, where titanium is gaining increasing prevalence for its lightness and strength in aerospace design. It’s also one of the primary backers of the Titanium Valley development zone in Sverdlosk, which aims to concentrate high-technology research and manufacturing for aerospace, automotive, medical, and other industries, by Russian and foreign enterprises.
The financial and ownership terms of the joint venture have not been announced.
