Amaero international, PPK and Deakin collaborate to develop super alloys

Advanced materials group PPK, additive manufacturing technology company Amaero International and Deakin University have joined forces to develop new, super strong aluminium alloys.

The three have established a joint venture research company, Strategic Alloys Pty Ltd, to formulate the new alloys which will be reinforced by boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) which act as a nano-reinforcement for metals.

The research will be carried out by Amaero at its Notting Hill facility in Melbourne and at Deakin in Geelong.

PPK subsidiary BNNT Technology is a manufacturer of BNNT products, a revolutionary super-strong material that is stable at temperatures far in excess of the melting point of metals.

Amaero CEO Barrie Finnin said the venture would create opportunities for high-end applications in aerospace, defence and other high performance markets.

Finnin said: “The JV aims to develop this revolutionary technology in Australia and create new industry, employment, products and exports for many years to come.”

Initial new materials are expected to be ready for validation in early 2021.

Ownership of the new venture is 45 per cent each by Amaero and PPK, and 10 per cent by Deakin.

Picture: BNNT Technology/fluorescing boron nitride nanotubes

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