The next step has now been taken to further expand and consolidate this position. As Austria’s largest aluminum manufacturer, AMAG, together with its core shareholder B&C, has signed a further cooperation agreement with the chair for non-ferrous metallurgy at the University of Leoben.
Aluminum microstructure in the visor
Associated with this is the financing of an “Aluminum Microstructure Analysis Gainhub (AMAGh)” in order to further strengthen aluminum research in Austria. With this investment, in line with the endowed professorship established in recent years, the introduction of highly qualified researchers to the habilitation and an excellent research infrastructure are once again supported, with which AMAG research topics can be processed at the highest level. The focus is on researching the microstructure of aluminum in order to be able to control its properties in further processing and application.
This includes, for example, the behavior of aluminum sheets during forming in the automotive and aviation industries as well as the development of recycling alloys in order to meet future requirements in terms of circular economy and climate protection.
In the “Aluminum Microstructure Analysis Gainhub”, the expertise for the use of highly complex devices such as high-resolution electron microscopes or technical center facilities is bundled specifically for aluminum. The cooperation agreement provides for a financial contribution from the two foundation partners AMAG and B&C in the amount of more than one million euros over the term of seven years.
“For us as a premium supplier of aluminum rolled products with a very high proportion of specialties, innovation is an essential pillar of the corporate strategy. A deeper understanding of the relationship between the microstructure and property profile of materials is the prerequisite for material and process innovations and thus for strengthening our competitiveness “says AMAG Chief Technology Officer Helmut Kaufmann. The financial support also makes it possible to guarantee a strategic build-up of highly qualified personnel in the field of aluminum research, says Wilfried Eichlseder, Rector of the Montan University Leoben.
AMAG is a leading Austrian premium supplier of high-quality cast and rolled aluminum products that are used in a wide variety of industries such as the aircraft, automotive, sporting goods, lighting, mechanical engineering, construction and packaging industries.
Source: Nachrichten
