QUESTEK INNOVATIONS LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N161-071

Description

In this SBIR program, QuesTek Innovations LLC will apply its computational materials methodology to develop ICME tools that directly address the unique complexity of additive manufacturing (AM) processing. CALPHAD-type modeling along with materials property and process evaluation will be applied to make an intelligent selection of commercial heat exchanger (HX) alloy(s), or composition optimization, suitable for AM. ICME models will be developed to describe materials properties and processing, and the ICME methodology will be applied to assess commercial HX alloys in terms of AM processablity. A parametric approach will then be used to downselect alloy(s) of interest, followed by test coupon-scale direct metal laser sintering fabrication and characterization. QuesTek will partner with GPI Prototype and Manufacturing Services Inc., who will provide assistance in material procurement, AM process evaluation and test coupon prototyping. Test coupons of selected alloy(s) will be printed and characterized for proof-of-concept while further addressing one of the unique challenges of building HX components; component thinness. The Phase I program will ultimately conclude with an integrated, predictive mechanistic based computational tool to predict alloy processability for powder metal AM processes, and the methodology will be tailored to HX alloys ultimately minimizing defects and improving component reliability.