Boeing reports that it has invested in Gamma Alloys, a US aluminum alloy specialist which is developing metal-matrix composites for use in aerospace, automotive and other industries.
This investment by Boeing HorizonX Ventures, which was established earlier this year, is its first in this kind of materials and machining development and applications.
‘The wear, strength, durability and machining characteristics of Gamma's materials have the opportunity to further reduce the weight of our products,’ said Steve Nordlund, vice president of Boeing HorizonX. ‘The traction that Gamma Alloys has gained in automotive, energy and aerospace reinforces our confidence that Gamma has a unique set of materials.’
Gamma Alloys is researching nano-reinforced aluminum alloys, where the aluminum is reinforced with microscopic particles, or nanoparticles. These alloys can provide increased stiffness, improved wear resistance, and greater strength than current materials across a wider range of temperatures, the company says.
‘With funding from Boeing, we will explore compelling applications across demanding industries such as aerospace while accelerating our nanoparticle material development and the full-scale industrialization of our manufacturing processes,’ said Gamma Alloys CEO Mark Sommer.
This story is reprinted from material from Boeing, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
