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Supporting some of the biggest names in aircraft manufacture by helping to drive down costs, promote performance efficiencies and develop the materials and techniques required by its rapidly evolving markets, AMETEK Specialty Metal Products (SMP), a division of AMETEK, Inc. says it is positioned at the forefront of the global aviation and defence industry.

AMETEK SMP is a leading manufacturer of multiple forms of high-performance metal products, including precision tube and strip, foil and wire as well as high-purity metal powders and master alloys. These speciality metal products are manufactured at six operating facilities in the US and the UK and are used extensively throughout the aerospace and defence industry.

AMETEK SMP comprises six of the best-known businesses in the industry: Reading Alloys, Hamilton Precision Metals, Superior Tube and Fine Tubes, AMETEK SMP Wallingford and AMETEK SMP Eighty Four, with individual histories stretching back up to 70+ years. The extensive range of alloys includes titanium, stainless steel, nickel, copper, aluminium, vanadium, molybdenum, niobium, chromium and zirconium grades.

Aerospace applications

For civil and military aircraft and space programmes, AMETEK SMP supplies: master alloys used for controlling chemistry in the melting of titanium and super alloys used in aircraft airframes and engines; metal powder coatings that provide thermal, abrasion, and corrosion resistance for surface enhancement; metal powders for both plasma and high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) applications; precision tubing for fuel lines, actuation and instrumentation; high-pressure tubes for hydraulic control systems up to 5,000psi; metal strip for diaphragms in sensor applications; nickel-based strip alloys and powders for battery applications including thermal batteries, heat exchangers, bellows and honeycomb; brazing foils for engine fan blades and housings; shaped wire for throttles, push-pull mechanisms, fuel shutoffs and fasteners. As a key Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier, SMP works directly with the major OEMs and holds extensive approvals from the major airframes and engine primes.

One of Reading Alloys’ areas of expertise is in the development of master alloys for the titanium industry. The company is regarded as one of the pioneers of the modern titanium industry having been instrumental in the development of many of the titanium alloys available today, including Ti 6A/4V.

Mike Cullum, sales manager SMP EMEA states: “Reading Alloys are the ones who put the 4 in the Ti64.”

Also, Reading Alloys uses the Hydride-Dehydride (HDH) process to produce Ti-6Al-4V powder.

Meanwhile, Hamilton Precision Metals rolls 0.0025mm to 0.01mm precision brazing foil in Monel alloys used in the production of jet engine fan blades, housings and honeycomb seals. AMETEK SMP in Wallingford also manufacture metal titanium wire for locking collars on aircraft.

In addition, Fine Tubes and Superior Tube produce seamless tubes in Titanium Grades 1 and 2, Grade 5 (Ti 6Al/4V) and Grade 9 (Ti 3Al/2.5V). Fine Tubes, for example is one of the few suppliers qualified to produce the high-pressure titanium tubes used in the hydraulic systems of the Airbus A350/A380 operating at up to 5,000psi.

Forefront of the field

Each of the individual businesses part of AMETEK SMP is at the forefront in its field in terms of expertise and product quality. Each business is fully engaged in the SMP-wide strategic commitment to operational excellence in terms of throughput, on-time delivery and customer service. Ongoing investment in some of the most advanced metallurgical research and development is matched by progressive manufacturing processes and the strictest of quality procedures.

AMETEK SMP is also working to continually reduce overall costs for customers. With innovative technologies, such as additive manufacturing, for example, the buy weight of a so called ‘buy-to-fly’ component can be reduced, substantially lowering the cost of the finished part.

Each of the six SMP operating locations has built its success on long-standing customer relationships that involve close collaboration. Through a process of consultation, the Group works to ensure it provides real solutions to the real technical challenges facing customers.

“We enjoy the fact we talk to end users where we can innovate and have differentiated products,” explains Brian Mercer, director Tube Products. “This gives our customers an advantage. We work with distribution customers to supply our products, but we also work directly with the engineering side of OEMs to show how we can differentiate, add value and reduce cost.”

Fine Tubes’ experience of working with Airbus extends for some 25 years. In addition to supplying both stainless steel and titanium tubing for the A320, A330, A350 and A380 commercial aircraft models, Fine Tubes also manufacturers tubes for Airbus Defence and Space, as well as Airbus Helicopters.

SMP will continue to strengthen its position as a single, strategic source for advanced metallurgical products. Representing a broader product portfolio also enables it to add value. Where a customer team was previously focused, for example, on tubing products, it now offers the entire range of powder and strip too, supporting customers by simplifying their supply chain across a broader range of metal products.

Cullum adds: “AMETEK SMP are a major supplier into the aerospace market, for both airframe and engines. With our product offering covering Master alloys, powders, tube, strip, foil and wire, we have a full range of raw materials. With that we offer technology solutions that our competition can’t offer. So, the added value is our technology and experience.”

Trends in metals

Other synergies include an increase in global reach. SMP now has skilled people all around the world, the creation of a single team provides a much stronger presence, along with the ability to serve customers locally. For example, the company’s India office now offers the entire portfolio of products and a far higher level of customer service.

“We are driven by metals where aerospace companies are looking to save weight,” adds Mercer. “So, for us, titanium alloys and the evolution of titanium alloys is a key focus. In addition, as engines become more efficient, we are seeing a continual increase in temperature and with that goes an increasing demand for higher temperature, higher-strength nickel alloys. However, there is also a much higher accountability for failing performance.”

The aerospace industry continues to grow and, with it, a strong demand for titanium products, such as master alloys for titanium alloy production, specialised titanium tubing for a multiple of airframe and engine applications and titanium powders for 3D printing.

www.ametekmetals.com