Alyn’s Alloy Lands Company GM Contract

Alyn Corp., the Irvine-based developer of Boralyn, an advanced metal alloy that the company says is stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum, has landed a development contract to produce a dozen parts for a General Motors Corp. special technologies program.

Under the contract, Alyn, which already makes the engine cradle for the EV-1, will make suspension, cross-member and control arm structures for another advanced vehicle under development at GM.

Boralyn is made of aluminum alloy and boron carbide, which increases the alloy’s strength, stiffness and wear properties.

Robin Carden, Alyn’s founder, said the company will begin engineering in the fourth quarter, with the first shipment targeted for the first quarter of 1999. It won’t be a huge moneymaker for Alyn, he said, but the contract is valuable for the visibility and credibility it gives the new alloy.

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John O’Dell covers major Orange County corporations and manufacturing for The Times. He can be reached at (714) 966-5831 and at john.odell@latimes.com.