Century Inc produces first ever light weight MMC drum for Military

Century, Inc., a Veteran Owned – HUBZone Certified – Small Business, announced today that one of their divisions, Century / 3 Plus, LLC., successfully cast the first ever light-weight, Aluminum Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) Brake Drum for a Military Vehicle - the FMTV.

Weight reduction and survivability are top priorities of the Department of Defense. Century, Inc. has been working in conjunction with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) to find ways to light-weight vehicle components. Century’s drum is expected to save the FMTV up to 300 lbs of un-sprung weight, a weight savings almost unheard of for one component. The TARDEC/Century Drum weighs 45% less than its cast iron equivalent and lasts significantly longer. The lighter weight and longer life cycle equate to increased mobility, fuel savings, vehicle efficiencies, and lower maintenance costs for the vehicle.

“This is an historic day and a fine example on how business and the government can work together to answer the needs of our men and women serving in the U.S. Military. As a Veteran Owned – Small Business, it’s an honor to have the opportunity to demonstrate our technology and contribute to the mobility and the survivability of our Soldiers and their vehicles”, said Jim McManus, New Business Development Manager, Century / 3 Plus, LLC.

Century’s Light-Weighting™ Technology enables the transition of properties found in cast iron and heavy steel to the use of light-weight alloys such as aluminum or magnesium for select components through the use of Metal Matrix Composites. Century’s technology allows for the consistent mass production of the ceramic materials used in MMC’s. TARDEC is testing the light-weight drums which should be completed by the end of the year.