Arconic Unveils Advanced Titanium Alloy for Higher Temperature Aerospace Applications

July 16, 2018

As next generation aero engines run hotter, ARCONIC-THOR™ delivers a lighter, more cost-effective titanium alternative to incumbent nickel-based superalloys

  • Patented ARCONIC-THOR is nearly 50 percent lighter than incumbent nickel-based superalloys for higher temperature applications in aero engines and adjacent structures—driving cost savings and fuel efficiency for customers
  • ARCONIC-THOR offers three times improved oxidation resistance which enables it to operate at service temperatures higher than any other conventional titanium alloy available on the market
  • Company has completed successful development projects with commercial aerospace and defense customers, including a U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory project with partners Boeing and Honeywell

Arconic (NYSE: ARNC) today announced the commercial availability of an
advanced titanium alloy— called ARCONIC-THOR— that is designed for
higher temperature applications in next generation aero engines and
adjacent structures. Patented ARCONIC-THOR is nearly 50 percent lighter
than incumbent nickel-based superalloys, driving cost savings and fuel
efficiency for customers and helping Arconic capture growing demand for
advanced aero engine and airframe materials.

“ARCONIC-THOR is a breakthrough aerospace material that goes where
conventional titanium alloys cannot,” said Jeremy Halford, President,
Arconic Engineered Structures. “Next generation fuel-efficient aero
engines are running hotter, presenting a materials challenge for the
exhaust systems and adjacent structures. Drawing on our materials
science expertise, our engineers formulated ARCONIC-THOR—a powerful
titanium solution that can take the heat and unlock significant weight
and cost savings for our customers.”

Within Arconic’s patented alloy ranges, ARCONIC-THOR’s specific
proprietary formulation demonstrates three times improved oxidation
resistance compared to existing high temperature titanium alloys. This
improved oxidation resistance protects against deterioration at elevated
temperatures and enables ARCONIC-THOR to operate at service temperatures
higher than any other conventional titanium alloy available on the
market.

Arconic already has completed successful development projects of
ARCONIC-THOR with customers. These include a U.S. Air Force Research
Laboratory-funded project with aircraft manufacturer Boeing and aircraft
engine manufacturer Honeywell in which we produced full-scale components
from ARCONIC-THOR sheet. The joint Materials Affordability Initiative
(MAI) project validated ARCONIC-THOR as a production-ready, superior
oxidation resistant titanium alloy at temperatures as much as 200°F
above previously available high temperature titanium alloy products with
acceptable oxidation resistance. The project further concluded that
ARCONIC-THOR significantly reduced weight and improved component
performance.

The Society of Automotive Engineers – Aerospace Material Specification
Titanium and Refractory Metals Committee (SAE-AMS) recently approved the
standard Aerospace Material Specification (AMS) 6953 for ARCONIC-THOR
sheet.

ARCONIC-THOR can be produced as sheet, plate, foil, billet, rolled
rings, forgings and extrusions. It is formable (cold, hot,
superplastic), heat treatable, forgeable and weldable.

About SAE

SAE International is a global association of more than 138,000 engineers
and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and
commercial-vehicle industries. Standards from SAE International are used
to advance mobility engineering throughout the world. The SAE Technical
Standards Development Program is among the organization’s primary
provisions to the industries it serves. Today’s SAE standards product
line includes almost 10,000 documents created through consensus
standards development by more than 240 SAE Technical Committees with
450+ subcommittees and task groups. These works are authorized, revised
and maintained by the volunteer efforts of more than 9,000 engineers,
and other qualified professionals from around the world. The SAE
Aerospace Materials Specifications database includes the more than 3,250
current standards issued by SAE’s aerospace materials committees.

About Arconic

Arconic (NYSE: ARNC) creates breakthrough products that shape
industries. Working in close partnership with our customers, we solve
complex engineering challenges to transform the way we fly, drive, build
and power. Through the ingenuity of our people and cutting-edge advanced
manufacturing techniques, we deliver these products at a quality and
efficiency that ensure customer success and shareholder value. For more
information: www.arconic.com.
Follow @arconic: Twitter,
Instagram,
Facebook,
LinkedIn
and YouTube.

Dissemination of Company Information

Arconic intends to make future announcements regarding Company
developments and financial performance through its website on www.arconic.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that relate to future events and
expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements include those containing such words as
“anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,”
“should,” “will,” “would,” or other words of similar meaning. All
statements that reflect Arconic’s expectations, assumptions or
projections about the future, other than statements of historical fact,
are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, forecasts
and expectations relating to products and markets; and statements about
Arconic’s strategies, outlook, business and financial prospects.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and
are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that
are difficult to predict. Although Arconic believes that the
expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on
reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that these expectations
will be attained and it is possible that actual results may differ
materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due
to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to: (a) deterioration in global economic
and financial market conditions generally; (b) unfavorable changes in
the markets served by Arconic, including the aerospace market; and (c)
the other risk factors discussed in Arconic’s Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2017 and other reports filed with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission. Arconic disclaims any obligation to update
publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by
applicable law. Market projections are subject to the risks discussed
above and other risks in the market.

Arconic Investor Contact:
Patricia Figueroa,
212-836-2758
Patricia.Figueroa@arconic.com
or

Media Contacts:
Lori Lecker,
412-553-3186
Lori.Lecker@arconic.com