Alcoa HIP

Alcoa will strengthen aircraft engine parts manufacturing capabilities at its plant in Whitehall, Michigan, US, with the addition of new hot isostatic pressing (HIP) technology.

The company will invest $22m in the project, which will give it in-house capabilities to produce larger parts for aircraft engines.

Using high-pressure and temperatures simultaneously, the HIP process helps improve mechanical properties and quality of cast products such as blades and structures for aircraft engines. It also helps increase the density of 3D-printed parts.

The HIP system is designed to strengthen the metallic structure of titanium, nickel and 3D-printed aircraft engine parts.

Alcoa already owns the largest-of-its kind HIP technology complex in the aerospace segment.

"Alcoa continues to invest in the latest technologies, creating added capacity to capture fast-growing demand."

The latest project will allow Alcoa to expand its product range for next-generation, narrow and wide-body aircraft engines, and complements Alcoa’s expansions in LaPorte, Indiana and Hampton, Virginia.

Alcoa Group executive vice-president engineered products and solutions president Olivier Jarrault said: "As aerospace growth soars, Alcoa continues to invest in the latest technologies, creating added capacity to capture fast-growing demand."

Planned to be installed at Alcoa Power and Propulsion facility in Whitehall, the new HIP production system is expected to be commissioned in 2016.

For the project, the company has received more than $1m in industrial facilities tax exemption over 12 years from the city of Whitehall.

Image: HIP technology to strengthen metallic components. Photo: courtesy of Alcoa Inc.