J. Calcaterra, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
Modern military aircraft are some of the most complex systems ever created. To meet constantly increasing performance goals, aerospace materials are pushed to near their physical limits. Air Force research in the area of material modeling is focused on reducing the risk of using materials in aggressive environments by increasing our understanding of the underlying physics. Research into these models has led to tremendous scientific advances in the areas of life prediction, material processing and material development, to name a few. Invariably, when the newest models are applied to actual engineering problems, the science outpaces the application. In many instances, the models must be extremely simplified in order to be applied to the engineering need. In other cases, the science underlying the model is so new that there is not the confidence needed to utilize the model. Finally, there are some times when the newly developed model completely misses the problem need by the engineering application. This presentation will address three separate applications of relatively new materials and processes models to meet Air Force needs. The first case is the successful application of a machining model to rectify a fabrication problem. The second instance is the development of a titanium heat treating model to meet industrial concerns. The final example is the application of both processing and life prediction models to address a problem in service. This presentation will address the difficulty with linking models to address multidisciplinary concerns and the steps necessary to ensure that the models are pertinent to real world applications.
Summary: This presentation will address three separate applications of relatively new materials and processes models to meet Air Force needs. The first case is the successful application of a machining model to rectify a fabrication problem. The second instance is the development of a titanium heat treating model to meet industrial concerns. The final example is the application of both processing and life prediction models to address a problem in service. This presentation will address the difficulty with linking models to address multidisciplinary concerns and the steps necessary to ensure that the models are pertinent to real world applications.
