ATI will develop new nanocomposite aluminum alloys that are castable, weldable, and have properties comparable to Al 7050 T-74. ATI will develop and characterize the master alloys and provide the alloys in the form weld wire and billets to the Applied Research Lab of the Pennsylvania State University for processing. The billets will be melted and atomized to produce powder. The powder will be characterized. Test articles will be produced from the nano composite aluminum alloy powder and wire using the additive manufacturing equipment in the Center for Innovative Materials Processing through Direct Digital Deposition (CIMP 3D). The geometry of the test articles will be selected in consultation with the Navy. This effort will provide a greater understanding of effects of composition and processing on the microstructure and final properties needed to fully exploit AM for producing aircraft for the US Navy.
Benefit: Successful completion of this program would lead AM of high strength aluminum alloys to be utilized not only for prototype development and part production for both military and commercial industries but also for all the small quantity part production as a standard manufacturing procedure.
Keywords: Nano Composite, Nano Composite, high strength aluminum alloy, castable, additive manufacturing, aluminum alloy, AM, Weldable, metal matrix composite
