J. A. Wright, QuesTek Innovations LLC, Evanston, IL
QuesTek Innovations has applied its computational Materials by Design® technology to develop a new class of high strength maraging stainless steels. Key relationships between processing, microstructure, and properties were modeled mechanistically providing the design tools to optimize strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance for customer-specific requirements. By utilizing optimal-size eta-phase Ni3Ti precipitates the invented alloys achieve the desired strength at minimum phase fraction resulting in excellent toughness. As part of a Marine Corps alloy design and development program that commenced in mid-2004, QuesTek has developed a custom alloy for suspension components of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle. In the preferred temper condition, forged mechanical properties have been measured at 226 ksi yield strength and 146 ksiÖin fracture toughness. To reduce material and processing costs while maintaining equivalent weight of titanium components, QuesTek is developing processes to investment cast near-net-shape complex components of the new alloy. This presentation will include properties generated to date from the material in both forged and investment cast conditions.
Summary: QuesTek Innovations has applied its computational Materials by Design® technology to develop a new class of high strength maraging stainless steels. Key relationships between processing, microstructure, and properties were modeled mechanistically providing the design tools to optimize strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance for customer-specific requirements. By utilizing optimal-size eta-phase Ni3Ti precipitates the invented alloys achieve the desired strength at minimum phase fraction resulting in excellent toughness. As part of a Marine Corps alloy design and development program that commenced in mid-2004, QuesTek has developed a custom alloy for suspension components of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle. In the preferred temper condition, forged mechanical properties have been measured at 226 ksi yield strength and 146 ksiÖin fracture toughness. To reduce material and processing costs while maintaining equivalent weight of titanium components, QuesTek is developing processes to investment cast near-net-shape complex components of the new alloy. This presentation will include properties generated to date from the material in both forged and investment cast conditions.
