Sprayform Technologies International has been established as a joint-venture company by Howmet and Pratt & Whitney. Greenwich, Connecticut-based Howmet is the majority shareholder in the new company.
Sprayform has been established to develop Howmet's Spraycast-X process, which directly converts vacuum-melted superalloys into semi-finished ring shapes, suitable for use in engines.
Howmet claims that the process can significantly reduce the manufacturing cycle by eliminating the need for multiple ring-rolling steps, reduce raw-material costs and improve the machinability of the finished component.
Sprayform is setting-up a manufacturing plant at Whitehall, Michigan. Construction is scheduled to begin this year. The unit will be able to produce engine rings up to 1.4m in diameter, 1.5m in length and 100mm in thickness.
Source: Flight International
