Arconic to install a new horizontal heat treat furnace at Davenport Works facility

Arconic announced Monday that it will install a new horizontal heat treat furnace at its Davenport Works facility in Iowa. Heat treatment is a step in the production of high-strength product intended for large aerospace and industrial applications.

The construction on the $137 million furnace project is expected to start late this year with commercial production expected to commence in 2019.

The furnace will allow the company to heat treat longer and thicker plate than ever before, including material for company’s recently installed Thick Plate Stretcher. Arconic said that the “need for thick aluminium plate is growing, particularly as demand for composite wings, made with monolithic thick plate wing ribs, increases”.

Tim Myers, President, Global Rolled Products and Transportation and Construction Solutions said: “This investment will help meet both existing and future customer demand.”

“It also opens the door to growth in other markets, such as semi-conductors for consumer electronics and injection molding for automotive applications.”

The investment is supported by economic development financial assistance from the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) and the City of Riverdale.