B. Tufts, C. Kuehmann, QuesTek Innovations LLC, Evanston, IL; P. Trester, General Atomics, San Diego, CA
QuesTek Innovations’ Ferrium® S53 alloy is being qualified for use in US Air Force landing gear systems. Ferrium S53 is a martensitic, carbide-strengthened, secondary-hardened corrosion resistant steel developed to serve as a drop-in replacement for 300M steel. The details of the Aerospace Materials Specification (AMS) and MMPDS dataset, including design minimums, will be presented. Component qualification and rig testing will highlight the progress being made toward implementation of S53. Forging, machining, and heat-treating specifics along with shot peening, painting, and finishing recommendations will be presented. Although S53 was developed as a drop-in replacement for 300M in landing gear systems, many additional applications are anticipated for this 290ksi UTS corrosion resistant steel.
Summary: QuesTek Innovations’ Ferrium® S53 alloy is being qualified for use in US Air Force landing gear systems. Ferrium S53 is a martensitic, carbide-strengthened, secondary-hardened corrosion resistant steel developed to serve as a drop-in replacement for 300M steel. The details of the Aerospace Materials Specification (AMS) and MMPDS dataset, including design minimums, will be presented. Component qualification and rig testing will highlight the progress being made toward implementation of S53. Forging, machining, and heat-treating specifics along with shot peening, painting, and finishing recommendations will be presented. Although S53 was developed as a drop-in replacement for 300M in landing gear systems, many additional applications are anticipated for this 290ksi UTS corrosion resistant steel.
