JNARDDC to develop aviation grade aluminium alloys for IAF

The Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC) is working towards development of aviation grade alloys for the Indian Air Force (maintenance command) as a part of the indigenization process and the 'Make in India' initiative of the government. It will also be setting up an aluminium extrusion plant in the centre.

JNARDDC director Anupam Agnihotri, during the 27th foundation day programme of the centre on Friday said that there are many parts in aircraft which are made from special aluminium alloys. India is largely dependant on impoprts for sourcing these metal products. If these parts could be made locally for replacing the wear and tear caused in the aircraft it would substantially reduce the maintenance cost of any aircraft by about 15 per cent.

"And this is what the JNARDDC is aiming at. Though it doesn't involve any rocket science, it is not as simple a technology. Also, since the alloys required for making the spare parts are needed in very small quantities it is of no interest to the industry. Hence R & D institutions like ours should take up this responsibility," he said. JNARDDC will also be setting up a national facility of 'extrusion plant' in one year as it is one of the basic requirement for aluminium industry.

However, to make these alloys made in combination with either copper or zinc, require a casting machine. JNARDDC would thus be first importing the casting equipment (for about INR 25-30 crore). Principal scientist, downstream division in the centre, RN Chouhan says that the centre would not just require to develop new materials but also the process of making them at mass scale.

"Aluminium alloys are also required to make rods, plates, sheets etc for the aircraft. The parts come at a premium price. Hence even if we are able to make material for these it will be of great help to the Air Force," he said.

Wg Cdr C Srikanth from the maintenance command in city made a presentation during the foundation day programme explaining the importance of indigenous development of aluminium alloys for making spare parts for aircraft. He strongly suggested that JNARDDC should work towards improving the recycling of aluminium by the industry to minimize carbon foot print.

Earlier, JNARDDC director Anupam Agnihotri spoke about the different projects being undertaken by the centre which included working for developing aluminium wagons for the railways and aluminium alloys for the aviation industry, waste utilization, making bricks of waste etc.

RN Chouhan, principal scientist, downstream division, said, the centre was planning to change its focus towards medium and micro small and medium enterprises (MSME). JNARDDC has been selected as the 'sector expert' by the government of India under national mission.

TVK Gupta, assistant professor, department of mechanical engineering, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) and Wg Cdr C Srikanth from maintenance command also spoke on the theme of the occasion, 'Make in India, challenges and opportunities for aluminium alloys'. SP Puttewar, head, bauxite division also spoke on the occasion.

To mark the occasion, awards were given to scientists and other staff for their outstanding performance in various fields.