Nanotune3D

Development of the complete workflow for producing and using a novel nanomodified Ti-based ally for additive manufacturing in special applications

Financed by:

File reference number: 130192

Program: NMP

Partners

• Aidimme

• Laurentia technologies

• Zoz GmbH

• Universitat Politecnica de València

• Vito – Vision on Technology

• APR

• TWI

• TLS Technik Spezialpulver

• Ceit

Summary

This project has investigated the ability to manufacture parts through Additive Manufacturing consisting of a titanium alloy that contains a dispersion of nano-sized ceramic particles. The project ranges from the manufacture of the powder (with the ceramic particles included in it) to the manufacture of parts for aeronautical applications. The fundamental role of CEIT focuses both on obtaining the metal-ceramic composite particles by atomization and on the microstructural and mechanical characterization of the materials manufactured by AM.

The main objective of this project is to develop a new composite material, based on the processing of metallic powder that will be used as raw material, to obtain parts through Additive Manufacturing using SLM or EBM. This powder is based on Ti6Al4V alloys modified by introducing a nano-sized particle dispersion with the intention of manufacturing alloys that have a better mechanical behavior than standard non-particle alloys. The aim is to obtain an increase in tensile properties of more than 30-40%, hardness, resistance to fatigue and wear between 20 and 30% and to improve its properties at high temperatures between 15 and 25% without the need to increase weight. of the components. The main partial objectives of the project are:

• Define the concept of nano-particles coated “core-shell particles” to be included in a Ti6Al4V matrix paying particular attention to the interaction between the base metal and the particles, also taking into account the safety measures necessary in handling nano- particles.

• To develop reliable methods for the manufacture of the coated particles both on a laboratory and pilot-industrial scale.

• Develop two manufacturing routes of the NANOTUNR3D material based on the most widely used methods for the production of metal poles: Gas atomization (GA) and gas atomization of an electrode (EIGA). Due to industrial requirements in both cases, attempts will be made to produce dust batches in the order of hundreds of kilograms. In this context:

  • Redesign the atomization system (DIE) to allow the inclusion of the coated nanoparticles in the molten metal during the production of powders.

  • Develop mixing systems that guarantee a uniform distribution of nanoparticles in the ingot or bar that serves as an electrode in the EIGA system.

  • Determine the optimal processing parameters using SLM and EBM of this new nanoparticle-reinforced Ti6Al4V-composite material.