QUESTEK INNOVATIONS LLC — Department of Energy SBIR Phase II: 1

Description

QuesTek Innovations, a leader in Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME), will lead a strong team of experts in computational materials design, additive manufacturing, coating technology, and turbine design/manufacturing to design and develop a comprehensive solution for a next-generation turbine blade alloy and coating system capable of sustained operation at 1300°C. Concurrent design of material and component, with the goal of accelerating adoption of the designed materials into next-generation engines, will be achieved by teaming with leading turbine engine OEM Pratt & Whitney to define aerospace requirements, perform component design, and guide testing and qualification. QuesTek will apply its ICME-based models and extensive experience in design of superalloys, refractory alloys, high entropy alloys, and coatings to design a niobium (Nb)-based multi-material alloy system consisting of a ductile, precipitation-strengthened, creep-resistant alloy for the turbine “core” combined with an oxidation-resistant, bond coat-compatible Nb alloy for the “case.” Leveraging additive manufacturing techniques such as directed energy deposition will enable fabrication of a turbine blade structure with composition and microstructure tailored to provide location-specific properties, resolving the inherent conflict between mechanical performance and oxidation resistance. A novel coating system with thermal and chemical properties compatible with the underlying alloy will be developed to provide environmental and thermal protection. The proposed multi-material Nb alloy and coating system will achieve a combination of properties suitable for a variety of gas or industrial turbine components such as blade, vane, and panel structures. Concurrent design of both alloy and component will enable next-generation technologies within an accelerated timeline.