Aircraft
Alcoa Says Bring On Those Aerospace Materials Challenges
U.S. company has always led the way in aluminum for aerospace but it is investing heavily in additive manufacturing and other “disruptive” technology.
Embraer’s E-Jet E2 family of medium-range jetliners is designed to replace the company’s current E-Jet series. Alcoa is now Embraer’s sole provider of aluminum sheet and plate for the new type’s wing skins and fuselage components.
Embraer’s E-Jet E2 family of medium-range jetliners is designed to replace the company’s current E-Jet series. Alcoa is now Embraer’s sole provider of aluminum sheet and plate for the new type’s wing skins and fuselage components.

“Airframe and Engine OEMs—bring your challenges to us. We have the material expertise, resources and the personnel to ‘crack the code,’” promised Alcoa executive Eric Roegner. The senior executive is here at the Farnborough International Airshow (Chalet C27 and Hall 4 Stand B120) with the U.S. company’s management team, and news on Alcoa’s commitment to additive technologies (3D printing), castings, hybrids, extrusions and machined components. Late last month during a media event at the Alcoa Technology Center in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh, Roegner told reporters, “We’re truly material agnostic.”