Alcoa—Not Aluminum This Time

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October 7, 2015

When you say “Alcoa” in this industry, the first thought of those in the steel industry probably runs to the 2015 F-150 and then to a word that we can’t use here.

But it is interesting to note that in addition to aluminum sheet for automotive applications, the company makes a number of products that address multi-material fastening, and multi-materials is the direction that automotive construction is going, a direction that the aircraft industry is already taking.

That is, Alcoa signed a contract with Airbus that’s worth about $1-billion for its fastener products.

These fasteners will be used for products including the A350 XWB, the A320neo, and the A330.

Among the fasteners that Alcoa Fastening Systems & Rings produces are blind bolts, blind rivets, latching systems, inserts, studs, bolts, screws, nuts, lockbelt fasteners, pin fastening system, and panel fasteners.

Among the materials that these fasteners are produced with are stainless steel, titanium, and nickel-based superalloys.

All of which is to say that beyond the aforementioned sheet for body panels, it seems like the company is well positioned to putting materials together, as well.

Presumably, there may be some automotive applications in the offing at some point, as well.