Color, Anodizable Aluminum Die Cast Components with High-End Cosmetics July 2012

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In June 2012 the aluminum supplier announced the first commercial success of its ColorKast technology in the consumer electronics market. The innovative technology allows the supplier to produce color anodizable aluminum die cast components with high-end cosmetics. The first use of the technology appears on Samsung's new digital camera NX210. The supplier said other consumer electronic OEMs are preparing to apply this technology to their products.

The aluminum die casting technology allows consumer product manufacturers to create cosmetically high-end, lightweight, and cost-effective components said to be ideal for portable electronic device. The proprietary alloy, process, and finishing technology was developed at Alcoa Technical Center. The result is cosmetic products designed to have a rich, metallic "look and feel" of anodized aluminum but with the high productivity and cost advantages of die castings, as compared to unibody machining processing or magnesium die casting. Products made from the material create a better environmental solution relative to plastics or composites, the supplier maintains, because aluminum is infinitely recyclable.

Alcoa Inc.