Rio Tinto to supply its first commercial batch of aluminium-scandium alloy to Amaero for 3D printing

Rio Tinto has reportedly entered an agreement with Amaero, a leader in metal additive manufacturing, for providing with the first commercial batch of high-performance aluminium-scandium alloy. The product will be supplied from the Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT) metallurgical complex in Canada, the first-ever North American supply source of scandium oxide. 

Under the agreement, Rio Tinto will deliver the alloy billets made of responsibly produced low carbon aluminium from hydro-powered Canadian smelters and high purity scandium oxide from RTFT metallurgical complex, where high purity scandium oxide is extracted from the waste streams of titanium dioxide production without the need for any additional mining.

Amaero will process the billets into powder for 3D printing and offer to the market for high temperature applications.

According to the report, Rio Tinto and Amaero will also collaborate to develope a supply chain for the latter’s high performance aluminium alloy - “Amaero HOT Al” and commercialise it for applications in the aerospace, defence and other industries.

Rio Tinto Aluminium vice president Sales and Marketing Tolga Egrilmezer said: “As a global leader in aluminium and the first producer of high-quality scandium oxide in North America, Rio Tinto is uniquely positioned to provide a secure source of aluminium-scandium alloy to the market. Aluminium-scandium alloy is the material of choice where a lightweight, high-strength material with thermal resistance and good welding properties is needed, such as for defence and aerospace applications. This first sale demonstrates our ability to develop products that meet our customers’ needs, drawing on our technical expertise and world class assets.”

Amaero chief executive officer Barrie Finnin said: “We are very pleased to enter this Agreement with Rio Tinto to purchase the first commercial batch of aluminium scandium alloy from a North American source. This is an important step in the commercialisation of this high performance alloy that will be used in our breakthrough 3D metal printing technology. We look forward to working with Rio Tinto to progress the production of the alloy so we can commence the qualification process with key customers in the aerospace sector and other industries.”