Aluminium expertise at TWI

Aluminium has seen an increased uptake as a material used in industries including aerospace, automotive and construction – however, there are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration when working with aluminium. These factors include the total carbon footprint associated with manufacture, and issues around welding aluminium (particularly to other materials).

Carbon Footprint

The manufacture of products from aluminium has traditionally had a relatively high carbon footprint when compared to using other materials, such as steel. While this impact can be offset by the benefits of using aluminium, such as light-weighting of automotive parts, recyclability and the subsequent reduction in fuel consumption, modern process plant are able to use a number of techniques to further reduce the carbon footprint associated with production of aluminium goods.

Recycling

Unlike steel, which degrades over time, aluminium, once extracted can be recycled time after time. This capability has evident benefits on an environmental and cost level.

Challenges

The uptake of aluminium use in the aerospace sector has slowed over recent years, primarily because the desire to use this material has been somewhat compromised by the lag in the development, or take up, of associated enabling technologies.

TWI expertise

With decades of experience working with aluminium, TWI has developed capabilities that can help industry to effectively use aluminium across a range of sectors. This expertise includes knowledge of joining dissimilar materials – for example when joining aluminium to steel – as well as knowledge on joining aluminium to composites and plastics. These processes are particularly applicable in both aerospace and automotive.

TWI and ALFED

TWI has been working alongside the Aluminium Federation (ALFED) since 2019 to look into factors relating to aluminium use while also promoting best practice, skills and innovation.

Chris Wiseman Industry Sector Manager - Corporate Development

Chris Wiseman is Corporate Sector Manager at TWI Ltd, for both the Aerospace and Equipment, Consumables & Materials sectors. He also has a specific geographic responsibility for TWI Industrial Members in India and in supporting TWI’s exciting growth there.

As a Materials Scientist, over many years, he has contributed to a number of technologies, including, corrosion prevention, thermo-mechanical forming, novel testing, process optimisation, joining and surface treatments.

Today his role is focused on developing technical and commercial opportunities for TWI and its Industrial Members around the World.

}