EXHIBIT 23(b)
 
                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
  We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
on Form S-3 of Aluminum Company of America (the "Company") and Alcoa Trust I
under the Securities Act of 1933, of our report dated January 8, 1998, except
Note V, for which the date is February 6, 1998, on our audits of the
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules of
Aluminum Company of America and consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31,
1997 and 1996, and for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1997, which reports are incorporated by reference or included in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1997. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Experts."

 
                                          PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
   
September 8, 1998