美國鋁業公司（Alcoa）技術中心新近開發的新型裝甲厚板鋁合金C79A已由達文波特（Davenport）鋁業公司批量生產，并適用于制造多種裝甲車，在實彈演習中表現良好，獲得軍方的好評。C79A合金的抗拉強度比傳統合金6061-T651的高30%，具有更高的抗沖擊能力，不但鋁加工廠可用現行的工藝加工板材，而坦克或裝甲戰車廠也不用改變現行制造與裝備工藝。所以用C79A合金制造的裝甲車不但重量有較大減輕，而且速度有所提高，使用期限也業所延長。與5083-H133合金相比，新合金抵抗彈片模擬撞擊能力（FSP）高10%。C79A合金可用于制造輕重型作戰裝甲車（HEMTT），抗地雷裝甲車和防伏擊裝甲車（MRAP）。

Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today the development of a new aluminum alloy armor plate solution – C79A. Designed to better protect soldiers in combat environments, C79A will be introduced for military vehicle applications at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Winter Symposium and Exhibition in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

“For more than a century, Alcoa has been the world leader in aerospace alloy innovation,” said David Dobson, president, Alcoa Defense. “Almost all aerospace alloys in use today were developed by Alcoa. We are taking that same commitment to alloy innovation and applying it to the defense armor market to make the military lighter, faster and stronger.”

C79A allows original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to use traditional welding techniques during assembly without compromising long-term vehicle performance, so it is ideal for both appliqué armor as well as integral vehicle armor. Compared to conventional armor solutions, such as 6061-T651, C79A delivers improved ballistic performance. It also increases strength by 30 percent, which enables vehicle OEMs to improve durability while reducing weight. Additionally, compared to 5083-H131, C79A offers a ten percent improvement in fragment simulation projectile (FSP) performance.

A secure, domestic source for critical military components and materials for more than a century, Alcoa produces C79A at its aluminum rolling mill in Davenport, Iowa. Since its construction in 1948, the Davenport facility has been widely recognized as one of the world’s most technologically advanced rolling mills.

AUSA Winter Symposium attendees can learn more about C79A by visiting Alcoa Defense at booth 2222.