While single crystal casting is primarily used for turbine blades, a few other demanding applications could benefit from the secretive process. Turbine blade producers leave nothing to chance. A tour of Alcoa Howmet's Whitehall, Mich., plant will leave the visitor wanting for a view of the pouring area. Another industry leader, Precision Castparts Corp., Portland, Ore., typically won't let outsiders even that close - the company has repeatedly turned down requests for comments and tours. And a turbine parts OEM that recently expanded its in-house casting capabilities, Chromalloy, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., curtained off multiple areas of its plant during its grand opening ceremonies on Dec. 2, 2010. "We're just a little careful, let's say," said Andrew Farrant, Chromalloy's vice president of marketing and corporate communications.
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