The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) (
www.amrc.co.uk) is to lead a new £6 million European-funded project to develop an advanced lightweight alloy for the aerospace industry.
The MMTech project will develop new ways of working with an advanced material called gamma titanium aluminide. It is funded by the European Commissions Horizon 2020 programme for industry-led R&D.
Professor Keith Ridgway (pictured), executive dean of the AMRC, said: “Titanium aluminide is very light and strong,particularly at high temperatures, which makes it a very attractive material for aero-engine components.
"Unfortunately, it is notoriously difficult to use. This project will examine new powder-production methods, plus new casting, machining and 3-D printing techniques.”
The research consortium includes two Rotherham-based businesses: Advanced Manufacturing (Sheffield) Ltd and technology-development specialist Teks Sarl Ltd, as well as industry partners from France, Italy and Spain.
It will also involve specialist researchers at the University of Strathclyde and Imperial College London, along with Mondragon University and the IK4-Ideko research centre, which are both based in Spain.