IperionX and Vegas Fastener partner to produce titanium fasteners for US Army
May 8, 2024
IperionX Limited, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, and Vegas Fastener Manufacturing LLC, Las Vegas, Nevada, have partnered to develop and manufacture titanium alloy fasteners and precision components for the US Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC).
The GVSC is the United States Armed Forces’ research and development facility for advanced technology in ground systems. GSVC’s research and development includes robotics, autonomy, survivability, power, mobility, intelligent systems, manoeuvre support and sustainment.
Brandon N. Pender, Associate Director US DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Materials Engineering, stated, “We look at the combination of advanced manufacturing and titanium to help us improve both corrosion mitigation and light-weighting in army ground vehicles. Any relationship that we can pursue to make titanium more affordable, as IperionX can potentially do, is valuable to us. The potential to produce titanium, with all of its capabilities, that is cost-competitive with aluminium and steel only helps us improve the operational performance and readiness army ground systems.”
IperionX and Vegas Fastener intend to design, engineer and produce titanium fasteners for critical sectors such as the aerospace, naval, oil & gas, power generation, pulp & paper and chemical sectors. These sectors demand fasteners that provide not only high strength-to-weight ratios but also exceptional corrosion resistance for high-performance applications.
The global market for industrial fasteners, valued at ~$95 billion in 2023, is projected to grow at nearly 5% annually from 2024 to 2030. The US is one of the largest fastener markets worldwide, with growth underpinned by strong demand for automation, aerospace, and other advanced industrial applications. Growing demand for lightweight vehicles and aircraft is leading to a shift to custom high-performance, light-weight fastener products.
IperionX’s titanium technology portfolio includes high-performance near-net shape titanium products, semi-finished titanium products, spherical titanium powder for Additive Manufacturing and Metal Injection Molding, and angular titanium powder for a wide range of advanced manufacturing applications. These innovative patented technologies allow for world class leading sustainability and superior process energy efficiencies over the traditional Kroll titanium production process.
“Vegas Fastener has over twenty-five years of manufacturing and we specialise in the design, engineering and production of high-performance, corrosion resistant fasteners,” stated Marty Goeree, Vegas Fastener Manufacturing President. “Our customers GE, Boeing along with leading US Navy contractors such as General Dynamics, Newport News, Electric Boat, and BAE all depend on Vegas Fastener Manufacturing to deliver the highest quality precision engineered fasteners to support their critical to performance applications. Our partnership with IperionX will co-develop and produce innovative fastener products for advanced markets that demand high strength, lower weight and superior corrosion resistance.”
Anastasios (Taso) Arima, IperionX CEO, added, “IperionX is pleased to partner with Vegas Fastener to co-develop and manufacture precision titanium fastener products for the defence, automation, oil & gas, aerospace, chemical and marine sectors, including for US Army ground vehicles. The combined strengths and expertise of Vegas Fastener and IperionX will produce innovative solutions for customers and strengthen America’s manufacturing independence.”
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