NanoAL extends its partnership with Nikkei MC Aluminium and Mitsubishi Corporation RtM Japan

NanoAL has signed a three-way Joint development agreement with Mitsubishi Corporation RtM Japan Ltd. (RtMJ) and Nikkei MC Aluminium Co., Ltd. (NMA) to extend its business collaboration. This cooperation comes after NanoAL and RtMJ signed a licencing agreement for additive manufacturing material technology (Addalloy® powders) in February 2021. A major purpose of the collaboration will be to produce and sell improved high-pressure die-casting aluminium alloys for automobiles and consumer electronics, among other emerging markets.

NanoAL will use its patented fast alloy development framework to produce innovative aluminium alloy chemistries with a high mix of strength and thermal conductivity while being process-friendly with high pressure die casting in this collaboration. To accelerate scale-up and acceptance, NMA will use its secondary aluminium manufacturing capacity and knowledge. Using its extensive customer network, RtMJ will contribute to the commercialization of novel materials.

"NanoAL’s proprietary alloying technology will help NMA, and its customers, overcome emerging challenges in material selection, design, and manufacturing processes for next-generation high pressure die casting aluminum products," said Dr Nhon Vo, CEO of NanoAL LLC.

Tesla's use of high-pressure die casting as a technique of fabricating large vehicle aluminium frames with the 'Giga Press' casting machine garnered a lot of attention recently. It's a method of forming a net-shape component by pouring molten metal into a die under high pressure. Since of its great dimensional precision and smooth surface, high-pressure die casting is desirable to car OEMs because it is quick, economical, and requires little machining. Furthermore, the very complex form achieved makes it appealing for additional applications such as heat sinks for thermal control.

"In order to achieve high performance and low environmental impact that is required by customers, it is necessary to improve the characteristics of the material. We believe that the distinctive technology of NanoAL is effective in improving those characteristics." said Hiroshi Horikawa, Executive Officer of NMA.

"Aluminum alloys are essential materials to achieve electrification and a circular economy in the next generation society and contribute to light-weighting in automotive and mobility industries. We hope this collaboration of development in high performance casting alloys with NanoAL and NMA will create a new value to users," said Kota Ikenishi, Executive Officer of RtMJ.