RUSAL completes closed additive manufacturing cycle at ILM&T

RUSAL has completed a closed additive manufacturing cycle at the Institute of Light Materials and Technologies (ILM&T). The company has made an investment of €3.5 million so far in resources and facility development at Centre.

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RUSAL’s research and development centre has an additive powder manufacturing site, an atomiser and a powder sizing and packing line. The company will now develop high strength and heat-resistant aluminium-based materials for additive manufacturing.

"In just three years at the ILM&T, we have managed to not only form a team of highly-skilled industry-leading professionals, but also to provide all the necessary resources and facilities to enable the rendering of a full range of services from research to engineering. The Institute's specialists have successfully developed and enhanced the production of innovative solutions in the field of high strength aluminium powders for additive technologies, intended for shipbuilding and the space industry, as well as aluminium alloys with increased corrosion resistance for railway, transport and construction.”

“Now one of the ILM&T’s biggest tasks moving forward is to achieve a significant reduction in production costs by recycling and optimising the printing process parameters. This work will make it possible to accelerate the implementation of new developments and to expand their application to more industries in the future," said Victor Mann, Chief Technical Officer at RUSAL.

The ILM&T currently focusses on the creation of aluminium alloys that can perform at temperatures of up to 400°С. The centre launched new range of unique aluminium alloys in 2019, which performed significantly better when compared to their analogues.