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China's export controls impact U.S. jet engine supply chain
The American aerospace industry is seeking alternatives to yttrium, a rare earth metal essential for heat-resistant coatings on jet engine components. This shift comes as China, which supplied approximately 70% of U.S. yttrium imports between 2021 and 2024 according to the U.S. Geological Survey, has imposed export controls that caused shipments to the U.S. to plunge.
To mitigate the shortage, suppliers are exploring older technologies from the 1970s and 1980s. This includes testing zirconium-dioxide coatings stabilized with magnesium or calcium, as well as implementing material recycling processes. Companies like Oerlikon Surface Solutions are also working to secure alternative supplies and recycle yttrium oxide from manufacturing processes.
While prices have risen and some suppliers have rationed material or halted production, supply-chain specialists note that low inventories have not yet impacted overall jet engine production levels.
Entities
China · Oerlikon Surface Solutions · REAlloys Inc. · U.S. Geological Survey · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Chinese yttrium shipments to the U.S. decreased following export controls imposed by Beijing. americafirstreport.com · thelibertydaily.com · dailycallernewsfoundation.org
- [● 3 SOURCES] Aerospace suppliers are testing zirconium-dioxide coatings stabilized with magnesium or calcium as alternatives to yttrium. americafirstreport.com · thelibertydaily.com · dailycallernewsfoundation.org
- [● 3 SOURCES] A shortage of yttrium is forcing aerospace suppliers to revisit technologies from the 1970s and 1980s. americafirstreport.com · thelibertydaily.com · dailycallernewsfoundation.org
- [● 3 SOURCES] Low inventories of yttrium have not yet caused a reduction in jet engine production. americafirstreport.com · thelibertydaily.com · dailycallernewsfoundation.org
- [● 3 SOURCES] China supplied about 70% of U.S. yttrium imports from 2021 to 2024. americafirstreport.com · thelibertydaily.com · dailycallernewsfoundation.org