Ford selects IperionX to supply titanium automotive components
June 15, 2023
IperionX Limited, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, has announced it has agreed a Scope of Work to supply additively manufactured titanium components to Ford Motor Company using its 100% recycled, low-carbon titanium powder. The two companies have been actively collaborating to design, test and additively manufacture a series of high-quality titanium components for future Ford Performance production vehicles.
Ford Performance is the high-performance and racing division of the Ford Motor Company, known for a range of performance cars such as the F150 Raptor, Bronco Raptor, Mustang Mach 1 and the Shelby GT500. Ford reportedly aims to be the only manufacturer competing in Formula 1; Le Mans 24 Hours with the Mustang GT3; WRC with the MSport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1; Baja 1000 with Ranger Raptor and Bronco; and NASCAR and Supercars with the Mustang.
The Scope of Work follows a detailed programme of quality and strength testing of IperionX’s low-carbon titanium metal for future Ford Performance production vehicles. Ford’s Sustainability and Advanced Materials divisions reportedly undertook a range of testing procedures, verifying that IperionX’s titanium surpassed the required parameters set under ASTM International standards.
The titanium components are set to undergo a comprehensive ‘finishing study’ to assess a range of potential surface finish of parts. The insights gained from this Scope of Work will reportedly guide the final design, and unit costs, for a range of low-carbon titanium components for Ford Performance production vehicles.
Automotive parts made with titanium are notable for their strength-to-weight ratios, high levels of corrosion resistance, outstanding durability and – reportedly unique to IperionX’s technologies – can be sustainably recycled at the end of product life.
Anastasios (Taso) Arima, CEO, IperionX stated, “Ford has a commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. We are proud to partner with Ford to accelerate the deployment of a sustainable, circular titanium supply chain for the global automotive market.”
“IperionX is re-shoring a lower cost and more sustainable US titanium supply chain – shifting from a linear supply chain to a lower carbon, circular titanium supply chain – recycling titanium scrap to manufacture low carbon, high performance titanium components. We are pleased that Ford has partnered with us to improve automotive supply chains and scale our low-carbon, circular, titanium business,” Arima concluded.
