Wotton-under-Edge-based Renishaw (
www.renishaw.com) and Aeromet International Ltd (
www.aeromet.co.uk) have announced a collaboration to establish additive-manufacturing (AM) process parameters and material properties for Aeromet’s A20X aluminium alloy.
Following a successful debut at this year’s
Paris Air Show, the two companies are working together to optimise the processing techniques for the high-performance alloy on Renishaw metal AM systems.
They are also investigating a range of heat-treatment regimes designed to deliver optimum properties in AM 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 alloys, developed and patented by Aeromet; it includes the Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardisation (MMPDS) approved A205 casting alloy and AM205 powder for AM.
A20X is an aluminium-copper alloy with a highly refined microstructure and a unique solidification mechanism, giving it greater strength, fatigue and thermal characteristics than other alloys.
Mike Bond, a director of AMT (a division of Aeromet), said: “A20X is being rapidly adopted for the additive manufacture of aero-engine, airframe, space, defence and automotive parts.
Its combination of high strength, high ductility and performance at high operating temperatures makes it ideal for lightweight stressed components.”
“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 new alloy on our machines. Through our network of AM Solutions Centres, we can help manufacturers to develop industrial AM processes using A20X.”