South African light metals project yields first results.

The Council for Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa has succeeded in casting a lightweight aluminum engine-mounting bracket in an industrial trial using a proprietary, newly-patented semi-solid casting technology.

CSIR Materials Science and Manufacturing research and development leader Richard Bean said trials on titanium parts for the aerospace industry--specifically Boeing--will follow the casting of the bracket for Fiat South Africa.

The developments form part of the Light Metals Development Network (LMDN), which this year received its first chunk of funding (about $1.3 million) from the Department of Science and Technology as part of the government's Advanced Metals Initiative.

The idea for the network originated in 2003, when the Automotive Industry Development Centre began talks with the CSIR on how South Africa could share in the increasing market demand for light metal use in vehicles.

The LMDN program currently is the subject of an international review to ensure its industry relevance.

The network also is in the process of establishing an industry advisory panel, which will guide it in its product and process development.

The LMDN is to be funded until 2009, when it ultimately hopes to bring several new light-metal products to market.

The LMDN works on a hub-and-spoke basis, explained Bean. The CSIR acts as the hub with the spokes being tertiary, academic institutions.

"Through LMDN bursaries, we expect 40 students to complete their masters and doctorates in light-metals-related fields by 2009," said Bean.

The patented process that the CSIR already has developed under the auspices of the LMDN is a novel semi-solid casting process producing Smaller, stronger aluminum components.

Also part of the program is exposing the local industry to internationally sought-after expertise in order to increase South Africa's global competitiveness.