University of Alabama to install SinterCast technology for project funded by the US Department of Energy
* US Department of Energy material optimization project awarded to
Caterpillar
* Development of high strength Compacted Graphite Iron for heavy-duty engines
* SinterCast Mini-System 3000 installation planned for summer 2013
[Birmingham and Stockholm, 19 April 2013] - Following an announcement by the
Obama administration on 22 March 2012 providing USD 14.2 million in new funding
to develop lightweight materials for advanced vehicles, the US Department of
Energy has awarded USD 3.5 million to Caterpillar Inc. for the development of
high strength cast alloys for heavy-duty high performance engine applications.
As part of the three year project, Caterpillar will work together with the
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to investigate and develop new
Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) alloys. In addition, UAB has entered into an
agreement with SinterCast for the installation of a Mini-System 3000 at the UAB
Department of Material Science & Engineering laboratories. The installation is
planned for the summer of 2013. SinterCast will also provide in-kind technical
support throughout the duration of the project. The objective of the project is
to develop cost-effective high-strength cast materials that can enable future
increases in specific power density (horsepower/weight) and increased thermal
efficiency in heavy-duty diesel engines.
"This project reinforces the need for continuous advances in engine performance
and efficiency, and the need for advanced materials to support these objectives
while ensuring durability and emissions compliance. These demands - and the
opportunities for CGI growth - are particularly applicable in heavy-duty engine
applications, defined by this project as the 10-17 litre displacement range, for
engines with more than 350 horsepower" said Dr Steve Dawson, President & CEO of
SinterCast. "Building on our successful experience with Compacted Graphite Iron
in commercial vehicle engine applications, we look forward to this unique
opportunity to explore leap-frog material advances."
Dr Steve Dawson
President & CEO
Tel: +46 8 660 7750
e-mail: steve.dawson@sintercast.com
With more than 11,000 undergraduate and 6,000 graduate students, the University
of Alabama at Birmingham is an internationally renowned research university and
medical center. UAB offers a full range of academic programs, including 137
different degree programs and is the largest, single-site employer in Alabama
with an annual economic impact in excess of USD 5 billion. The metals group at
UAB has 20+ years' experience in performing casting-related research in cast
iron funded by industry, DOE, and DOD. Through these research projects, UAB has
developed techniques for characterization and laboratory production of gray,
ductile and CG iron. UAB maintains two casting labs including a 2000 and a
9600 square foot lab. Iron melting equipment includes a 175 KW power supply, a
500 lb. iron capacity hydraulic tilt box furnace, and a 100 lb. iron capacity
hydraulic tilt box furnace. Microstructural characterization equipment includes
optical and stereo microscopes with digital cameras for direct image acquisition
and image processing software. Additional capabilities include scanning
electron microscopy (SEM), casting simulation software, and casting modeling.
The group is currently active in a variety of projects related to the
engineering and science of metal solidification. For more information:
www.uab.edu/metals
SinterCast is the world's leading supplier of process control technology for the
reliable high volume production of Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI). With at least
75% higher tensile strength, 45% higher stiffness and approximately double the
fatigue strength of conventional grey cast iron and aluminium, CGI allows engine
designers to improve performance, fuel economy and durability while reducing
engine weight, noise and emissions. The SinterCast technology is used for the
production of more than 50 CGI components, ranging from 2 kg to 17 tonnes, all
using the same proven process control technology. The end-users of SinterCast-
CGI components include Aston Martin, Audi, Cameron Compression, Caterpillar,
Chrysler, DAF Trucks, Ford, Ford-Otosan, General Electric Transportation
Systems, General Motors, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lancia, Land Rover, MAN,
Navistar, Porsche, PSA Peugeot-Citroën, Renault, Rolls-Royce Power Engineering,
Scania, Toyota, VM Motori, Volkswagen, Volvo and Waukesha Engine. The SinterCast
share is quoted on the Small Cap segment of the NASDAQ OMX stock exchange
(Stockholmsbörsen: SINT). For more information: www.sintercast.com
END