Hydro Karmøy is to install new equipment for ultrasonic testing of foundry products from the extrusion ingot casthouse in Karmøy, Norway. With this equipment in place, together with a newly installed ceramic filter, Hydro Karmøy will strengthen its position as a supplier of advanced aluminum alloys to the auto industry.
“Auto makers are using aluminum in an increasing number of components to reduce vehicle weight to meet the strict emission requirements introduced by governments in Europe and other parts of the world. Particularly the metal used in safety-critical parts requires documented high quality. It is this market we are now aiming for,” said the plant manager at Hydro Karmøy, Trond Olaf Christophersen.
The ceramic filter removes unwanted elements from the metal, thereby increasing its purity. Ultrasonic testing takes place after the casting process, and provides first and foremost quality control and adequate documentation, according to casthouse manager Asle Voll.
“Auto makers set strict requirements for us to document that there are no flaws in the ingots we produce. While we have previously only had equipment to manually test ingots, we can now test the entire cross-section of the products using an automated process,” he said.
August 26, 2015
