Fortis Technology proposes to use their novel manufacturing technique based on magnetic fields to distribute nano-particulate in a polymer resin and apply it in thin-layer on turbomachinery blades for vibration damping. These magnetostrictive particulates, to be included in the resin, provide damping through domain wall switching, a non-conservative action which provides a high loss factor. These nanocomposites can be easily fabricated into thin films, provide stiffness and strength while also incorporating novel damping capabilities which exceed in performance and temperature range viscoelastic materials, the current state of the art for blisk damping. The objective of this program is to demonstrate that magnetic fields can be used to effectively distribute the nano-particles throughout the thin film and produce a composite with properties superior to conventional polymer systems. Once demonstrated, we believe this economical process can easily be scaled up to large structures and commercially implemental for a variety of applications.
Benefits: The passive damping technology provides extremely large damping losses in a structurally stiff polymer and carbon fiber composites. Currently damping is either active (expensive and complex) or uses viscoelastic materials (poor structural coupling and temperature range). The magnetostrictive particulate composite technology, patent applied and licensed by Fortis Technologies, provides a simple, large temperature range, high stiffness materials to be used in many applications where the current technologies fall short. Fortis sees application of this technology for improvements in sporting goods, power/hand tools, space launch and satellite design, noise abatement and vibration isolation.
Keywords: Magnetostrictive, composite, damping, vibration, turbines, thin-layer, compressors, high-cycle fatigue
