A320neo

Airbus has signed a $110m multi-year supply deal with metals company Alcoa for titanium and aluminum components for the aircraft maker’s planned A320neo jets.

Alcoa will produce the components using its modern 50,000t press in Cleveland, Ohio, which uses latest controls to comply with the aerospace specifications.

The press has a capacity to produce the world’s largest and most complex titanium, nickel, steel and aluminum forgings, Alcoa said.

Alcoa executive vice-president Olivier Jarrault said: "This agreement deepens our long and collaborative relationship with Airbus with whom we will continue working to advance the industry with superior products."

Under the agreement with Airbus, Alcoa will supply titanium parts, including forgings used to connect the wing structure to the engine, for the A320neo.

The deal also comprises several large aluminum forgings for the A330 and A380 – including the A380 inner rear wing spar.

Majority of the forgings support the wing structure where strength-to-weight ratio is vital for efficient flight performance.

Last year, Alcoa signed supply agreements with Airbus to supply aerospace aluminum sheet, plate and hard alloy extruded products using Alcoa’s current, advanced-generation and aluminum lithium alloys.

Although the terms of these agreements were not disclosed, the deals were valued at about $1.4bn.

In addition to sheet, plate, forgings and extrusions, Alcoa’s specialty fasteners and structural castings are also being used on Airbus jets.

Image: Alcoa will supply titanium and aluminum aerospace forgings for Airbus’s aircraft, including the A320neo. Photo: courtesy of Alcoa Inc.

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