SBIR-STTR Award

This proposal is to develop the material and process for the fabrication of a high strength, porous aluminum alloy material. The approach taken here is based on powder metallurgical processing and covers cold isostatic pressing followed by sintering of aluminum powder metal alloys and powder blends. The development of the high strength porous materials is based on powder metal processing of heat treatable, precipitation hardening alloys and dispersion strengthening and hardening of alloys with aluminide compounds.

This proposal is to develop the materials and processes for the fabrication of high strength porous aluminum, zirconium and titanium alloys in sizes of up to 12 inches diameter by 20 inches long, 50 to 75 percent dense with compressive yield strengths of 50,000 to 60,000 psi. The approach is based on powder metallurgical processing followed by sintering of powder metal alloys and elemental powder blends. The strengthening of the porous alloys, where indicated, will be through heat treating quenching and precipitation heat treating.