Carpenter Technology Licenses Ferrium S53 Alloy
02/09/2007 -
Feb. 9, 2007 — Carpenter Technology Corp. and QuesTek Innovations LLC have entered into a license agreement in which Carpenter will produce and market QuesTek’s Ferrium® S53 ultra high-strength corrosion resistant stainless alloy.
QuesTek applied its Materials by Design® technology to create the alloy, which meets US Air Force specifications for use in aircraft landing gear. The alloy is an alternative to 300M and other high-strength alloys that have been used in landing gear components when there is reason to eliminate cadmium coatings. This ultrahigh-strength corrosion-resistant material may also be considered for other aerospace applications such as rotary gear actuators, fasteners, and other structural components.
“Carpenter is excited to add Ferrium S53 to our portfolio of specialty alloys,” stated Sunil Widge, Carpenter’s Vice President of Business Development and Chief Technology Officer. “By supplementing our existing product offering, which includes Carpenter’s proprietary Custom 465® stainless and AerMet® alloys, we are able to expand our offerings to the aerospace structural market. QuesTek’s innovative materials design methodology has resulted in a unique alloy and promising product for Carpenter.”
Carpenter has licensed relevant trademarks and will market the alloy under the Ferrium S53 alloy name. An AMS specification for this material is anticipated later this year.
On the collaboration with Carpenter, QuesTek President and CEO Charles Kuehmann remarked, “QuesTek is excited to join forces with Carpenter to bring our Ferrium S53 steel to market. Carpenter’s excellent reputation for quality and strong presence in the aerospace community makes this alliance a great match.”
Carpenter produces and distributes specialty alloys, including stainless steels, titanium alloys and superalloys, and various engineered products.
Based in Evanston, Ill., QuesTek Innovations computationally designs alloys per customer specifications, and licenses the use and/or production of these alloys to appropriate partners.