J. Sebastian, J. Wright, QuesTek Innovations, Evanston, IL
QuesTek Innovations, in conjunction with a major aerospace rotorcraft manufacturer, has utilized its computational Materials by Design® technology to develop a new high-performance gas carburizable gear steel. Initial prototype alloy compositions have been refined, and the final composition for the new steel has been produced by premium processing methods at full industrial ingot scale (10,000 lb.). The new gear steel, based on martensitic matrix and secondary hardening microstructural concepts, exhibits core and case properties equivalent or superior to current high-performance gas carburizable gear steels (including Pyrowear X53). The secondary hardening characteristics of the new steel impart superior temperature resistance relative to current steels. Surface processing (including gas carburization and shot peening processing) has been demonstrated in conjunction with QuesTek’s aerospace partner. Characteristics of the new alloy will be compared with those from other commercial high-performance gear steels (including QuesTek’s Ferrium C61).
Summary: QuesTek Innovations utilizes computational alloy design technology to develop improved materials with enhanced customer-specified alloy properties, such as strength, toughness, and fatigue performance. An improved gas carburizable gear steel has been developed and is being tested for Navy rotorcraft transmission components.
