IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. Beralcast® Alloys Used for Key European Space Program

IBC Advanced Alloys Corp.’s (TSXV:IB,OTCQX:IAALF) Beralcast® ultra-lightweight aluminum-beryllium advanced castings are being supplied for the European Space Agency’s Automated Transfer Vehicle, scheduled for launch on March 23, 2012 and is expected to dock with the International Space Station five days later.

As quoted in the press release:

ACAL BFI France is supplying IBC’s Beralcast® parts to Astrium (a division of EADS) for the manufacturing of the ATV space transport vehicle, specifically brackets made with Beralcast® 363 being used to hold the thrusters in the front attitude control system of the ATV. Marie-Joëlle Poret of ACAL BFI France said, “We would like to thank IBC for its support and for providing all remaining high quality bracket castings for this key program.”
Ray White, President of IBC Engineered Materials, reports that, “The brackets are thruster mounts for the front attitude control system, and are perfect examples of where Beralcast® 363 excels. Competitive aluminum-beryllium materials made from powdered metal would be extremely expensive with long manufacturing lead times. Beralcast® was cast to the precise shape required, which saves time and money.”

IBC President and CEO, Anthony Dutton, said:

“We are proud that Beralcast® products are being utilized for such an innovative aerospace application. IBC’s Engineered Materials team provided a top quality product, which can also be adapted for many other market sectors including aerospace, defence, automotive and electronics.” Dutton continued, “Our Company’s ESA work complements our ongoing Unmanned Airborne Vehicle (UAV) project for the US Military and we are looking forward to continuing our work with both of these organizations to develop new high performance aerospace applications using the Beralcast® family of alloys.”

Click here to read the IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. (TSXV:IB) press release