At the 20th award ceremony of the Chinese Outstanding Patented Invention and Industrial Design, held in Beijing recently, the patent for the 718Plus alloy forging method, owned by Guizhou Aviation Technology Development Co, won a Chinese patent award of excellence.

The technology solves technical problems such as cracking during the forging of ring-shaped pieces. The 718Plus alloy has mechanical properties, temperature capabilities and low cost, which make it widely applicable in aerospace, gas turbines, nuclear power, vessels and centrifuges.

Relying on the patent, Guizhou Aviation Technology Development Co has become the only qualified supplier in China to get a five-year cooperation contact worth over $150 million with the General Electric Company.

It is also the only company that provides ring forge pieces for Honeywell International, MTU Aero Engines and Rolls-Royce in Asia.

The award is given jointly by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) every year. It is the highest award for inventions set by the government in China.

A total of 30 Chinese patent gold awards, 10 Chinese design gold awards, 698 Chinese patent awards of excellence and 61 Chinese design awards of excellence were selected this year.

A patent for cardiovascular drug production, owned by Guizhou Baite Pharmacy Co, and a patent for prickly pear juice production, owned by Guizhou Tiancili Food Science and Technology Co, also won awards at the ceremony.