Alcoa-invented material strengthens phone’s structure by 70 percent
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa (NYSE:AA) today announced that it is
supplying a high-strength, aerospace-grade aluminum to Samsung for its
latest smartphones —the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. This marks the first time
the global electronic giant will use an aluminum frame for its Galaxy S
flagship model. The Company’s aerospace-grade aluminum, 6013 Alcoa Power
Plate™, is 70 percent stronger than standard aluminum used in
similar devices, creating a thinner, lighter, sleeker design.
“When we designed the metal framed Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, it was
important to find a strong yet light metal that would create a device
capable of exciting our customers,” said DJ Koh, CTO and Executive Vice
President of Mobile Communication Business at Samsung Electronics.
”Alcoa’s Power Plate is the perfect fit to create the phones that our
customers want: thinner, lighter, and stronger.”
Smartphones with metal frames are expected to grow almost 250 percent1
by 2016 from 2014, creating stronger demand for aluminum to protect
mobile devices. Developed by Alcoa Technical Center scientists,
innovators in metal science, the Alcoa Power Plate aerospace-grade
aluminum combines advanced strength and corrosion resistance for
products that require superior durability.
”Alcoa’s Power Plate has been battle tested across aerospace, automotive
and military uses, proving it can withstand the heavy use and tough
treatment endured by mobile devices,” said Ray Kilmer, Executive Vice
President and Chief Technology Officer of Alcoa. “Samsung’s leading
designers wanted to develop a thinner, sleeker device without
sacrificing durability. Innovating with Samsung, Alcoa’s metallurgists
identified a solution that gives the Galaxy one of the strongest and
most durable aluminum bodies available on the market.”
Samsung Galaxy S6 phones with Alcoa Power Plate are now available
globally.
Alcoa’s innovative technologies for the consumer electronics market
support the Company’s broader strategy to grow its value-add portfolio.
Other Alcoa consumer electronics solutions include ProStrength™,
a proprietary surface finishing technology also using aerospace-grade
aluminum for thinner, lighter and stronger mobile devices.
About the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge
Beautifully crafted from metal and glass, Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge
redefine what’s next in mobility, with a timeless design and the most
advanced features. Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge offer the most advanced
camera functionality including high resolution sensors, super bright
F1.9 lenses, embedded Auto Real-time HDR, Smart OIS, and much more. They
are also equipped with fast charging technology and embedded wireless
charging compatible with virtually any wireless charging pad in the
market.
About Alcoa
A global leader in lightweight metals technology, engineering and
manufacturing, Alcoa innovates multi-material solutions that advance our
world. Our technologies enhance transportation, from automotive and
commercial transport to air and space travel, and improve industrial and
consumer electronics products. We enable smart buildings, sustainable
food and beverage packaging, high-performance defense vehicles across
air, land and sea, deeper oil and gas drilling and more efficient power
generation. We pioneered the aluminum industry over 125 years ago, and
today, our approximately 59,000 people in 30 countries deliver value-add
products made of titanium, nickel and aluminum, and produce
best-in-class bauxite, alumina and primary aluminum products. For more
information, visit www.alcoa.com,
follow @Alcoa on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Alcoa and
follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Alcoa.
Forward Looking Statement
This release contains statements that relate to future events and as
such constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
include those containing such words as “anticipate,” “believe,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “plan,” “potential,” “should,”
“will,” or other words of similar meaning. All statements that are not
clearly historical in nature or that necessarily depend on future events
are forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date of this
release, including, without limitation, statements regarding growth
opportunities for aluminum in consumer electronics applications,
including smartphones, the expected advantages of advanced aluminum
alloys and technologies, and statements about Alcoa’s outlook,
strategies and business and financial prospects. Forward-looking
statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other
factors and are not guarantees of future performance. Important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements include: (a) material adverse changes in
aluminum industry conditions; (b) unfavorable changes in the markets
served by Alcoa, including the consumer electronics market; (c) the
possibility that certain assumptions regarding Alcoa’s products or
technologies could prove to be inaccurate; (d) failure to advance or
successfully implement, or to realized expected benefits from, new
technologies or innovative products, including, without limitation,
aerospace-grade aluminum or other advanced alloys or technologies, such
as the 6013 Power PlateTM technology, ProStrengthTM
finishing technology, or ColorKast™ die cast technology, whether due to
changes in the regulatory environment, competitive developments, changes
in consumer preferences, or other factors; (e) the business or financial
condition of key customers, suppliers, and business partners; and (f)
the other risk factors discussed in Alcoa’s Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2014 and other reports filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Alcoa disclaims any intention or obligation to
update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to
new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by
applicable law.
1 Source: Hana Securities, Korea. March 2015.
Alcoa
Investor Contact
Nahla Azmy, 212-836-2674
Nahla.Azmy@alcoa.com
or
Media Contact
Lori Lecker, 412-553-3186
Lori.Lecker@alcoa.com