Talon Composites to Produce MMC Nuke Containers

摘要

Talon Composites, LLC, a Southern Californian manufacturer of metal matrix composites (MMC), has entered into contract with British Nuclear Fuels PLC (BNFL) to supply caskets used to transport nuclear fuel. The composite caskets are produced using Talon's Talbor~R aluminum, boron carbide fiber reinforced material. The MMCs consist of aluminum and boron carbide and are supplied primarily to the nuclear waste and nuclear transportation industries for neutron shielding applications. Talon Composites provides expertise in the design and manufacture of MMC materials. Its main market is for nuclear storage, however the company also produces hybrid composite golf shafts and balls through its subsidiary Talon Sports. In addition, it provides materials, manufacturing, and technical expertise for the robotics, aerospace, and auto racing industries, among others. These materials are marketed under the trade names Talbor~R and Boralyn~R. This contract award follows an announcement in October 2003, regarding Talon's growing relationship with Allied Manufacturing, located in Ontario, CA. Allied Manufacturing provides Talon with the capability to mass produce products for various customers. Talon's CEO, Robin Carden, said "Talon's relationship with Allied Manufacturing…allows us to combine our metal matrix technology with Allied's large-part machining capabilities." Under the agreement Allied will produce and assembly MMC components for Talon. "In the end, we are able to offer a complete storage cask fabricated from a variety of materials." Carden further added, "Advances in our manufacturing techniques facilitates the production of plates in excess of 5 meters long."