The objective of the proposed program is to use advance manufacturing processes, to form near-net shaped (NNS) titanium wheeled hubs for tactical vehicles. Three manufacturing routes will be investigated including casting and two powder metallurgy processes based on Summit Materials Shaped Hot Isostatic Pressed Process (SHIP2). Physical work will be accompanied by numerical analysis of both the manufacturing processes as well as the actual component structure in use to ensure acceptable design and economic advantages. The projected 40% weight savings will exceed the stated 35% goal of the project. By combining the proposed material and manufacturing processes, this projects advantages include: (1) improved strength-to-weight ratio, (2) manufacturability consistency, (3) superb corrosion resistance, (4) increased maintainability, (5) improved costs, and (6) consistent availability.
Benefit: The anticipated benefits of this research and development work include: * full development of a manufacturing process to produce forged-quality components in a more efficient and cost effective manner * reduce the number of components that must be inventoried by reducing part counts of complex assemblies * decrease the need for corrosion maintenance by using materials that are immune to corrosion * allow for design changes without the need to acquire new and expensive stamping or forging tooling
Potential Commercial Applications: * wheels for commercial off-road and racing vehicles * by proving out the process on this SBIR, it will open up complex aerospace and oil & gas components
Keywords: titanium, titanium, near-net shape, Powder metallurgy, Wheel
