Alcoa NYSE:AA and aluminum helped advance space exploration another step recently when NASAs Curiosity rover landed on Mars following its 352-million-mile journey from Earth.Curiosity is a car-sized, six-wheeled robot made mostly of aluminum, which makes the craft light, durable and fast. Incorporated into the assembly of Curiosity are high-strength precision aerospace fasteners manufactured by Alcoa Fastening Systems in California. Inconel 718 bolts and standard hexagon nuts produced at Alcoas Newbury Park facilities and Keensert Inserts manufactured at Alcoas Torrance plant were used in the construction of the rover.
Alcoas high-strength fasteners connect the many structural components and attach equipment securely to the vehicle, and the threaded inserts are essential in transferring high tension and high loads into the lightweight base structure. Both the Inconel 718 bolts and hexagon nuts can withstand temperatures of up to (…)
