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  1. Materials

IBC Advanced Alloys Opens Investment Casting Plant

May 18, 2011
Proprietary metal matrix materials “Optimally configured,” 63,000-ft 2 plant

IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. opened a new investment casting plant in Wilmington, MA, for its Engineered Materials division, significantly increasing its capacity to produce near-net-shape products in IBC’s proprietary Beralcast® metal matrix materials for commercial and military applications.
Beralcast alloys reportedly are more than three times stiffer than aluminum with 22% less weight and a high modulus of elasticity. It is used to produce complex, lightweight, or high-stiffness parts and frequently serves as a higher-performance or lower-cost alternative to cast aluminum, magnesium, titanium, metal matrix composites, non-metallic composites, and pure beryllium or powder metallurgy beryllium-aluminum. Typical applications include disk-drive armatures, automotive brake and structural components, advanced cycling rims, and aerospace and satellite system components.
IBC is an integrated manufacturer and distributor of beryllium-based alloys and related products. It acquired privately held Beralcast Corp. in March 2010.
"The opening of the new Engineered Materials facility underscores IBC's commitment to its Beralcast alloys and proprietary casting technologies," stated IBC Engineered Materials president Ray White. He said the new plant was designed specifically to meet customers' technical requirements and quality standards, with faster and more demanding delivery schedules.
The 63,000-ft 2 plant is “optimally configured” with a more streamlined process flow than IBC’s former location, and includes a second investment casting furnace and other new equipment to improve production efficiencies.
IBC indicated it will add up to 40 workers over the next three years to staff the Wilmington plant, including manufacturing and engineering personnel.
"This investment and plant opening represents a significant event in IBC's history and would not have been possible without the ongoing support of our customers, employees and shareholders," according to Anthony Dutton, IBC president and CEO of IBC. "IBC is committed to materials performance and to providing engineered materials solutions to our growing international customer base … and this new facility is a testament to that commitment."