Casting solutions for defence and aerospace

Investment castings for defence applications

The defence industry demands rigorous quality control for metal components, including strict documentation at every stage throughout the manufacturing process. Signicast excels in this area by adhering to the most stringent standards, including NADCAP, ITAR, AS9100 and NIST. We partner with certified suppliers to ensure complete traceability and a robust, secure supply chain for our customers.

Aluminium and stainless steel castings for the defence industry

Signicast specialises in casting a variety of alloys, with expertise in aluminium and stainless steel for defence applications.

• Aluminium alloys: Offer excellent strength-to-weight ratios and thin-wall casting capabilities, making them suitable for weight-sensitive applications in aircraft and satellite equipment.
• Stainless steel: Ideal for high-strength, heat-resistant components such as projectile launchers and surface-mounted system housings for radar and other navigation technologies.

We utilise a range of materials, including A356, A355, 201.0 (T6) aluminium, and 300 and 400 series stainless steels, to meet the diverse needs of the defence industry.

CIREX Foundry, Signicast's European sister company, specialises in investment castings for industries such as aerospace and defence. They are known for their advanced SOPHIA® aluminium casting technology, which supports demanding and specialist projects across multiple European locations. Notably, CIREX Germany is one of just four investment casting facilities globally equipped with the advanced SOPHIA® technology.

Benefits of SOPHIA®:

• Enhanced mechanical properties
• Reduced production times
• Superior performance of final parts

Aerospace investment castings

Signicast leverages soluble and ceramic core technologies to create complex, lightweight components for aerospace applications. Their fully automated, continuous-flow manufacturing ensures that high-quality, durable parts are delivered on time. From commercial jetliners to military aircraft, they produce a wide range of components including:

• Interior components
• Hydraulic fluid system components
• Landing and braking components
• Engine components
• Fuel system components
• Mounted sensing systems
• Fuel manifolds

Visit the commercial aerospace and defence pages for more detail.

NADCAP accreditation

Signicast Hartford and CIREX Germany are proud to achieve NADCAP (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) accreditation. NADCAP is an industry-driven programme that unites experts from industry and government to set rigorous standards for supplier accreditation and quality assurance. This streamlined approach reduces redundant audits, improves supplier quality and lowers costs. Through consensus-driven decisions, NADCAP ensures more thorough and technically advanced audits, benefiting both prime contractors and suppliers by promoting standardisation and enhancing operational efficiency.