Exploring Gradient Aerospace Alloys: Modeling, Manufacturing, and Evaluation

Functionally graded materials hold promise due to the ability to potentially control the location-specific microstructure, properties, and performance of larger unitized structures. While many researchers have explored controlling composition through additive manufacturing processes, technical risks present barriers to establishing the necessary confidence to implement such materials in practice. The risks are associated with the level of precision associated with compositional control, the integration of variations in unknown spatially-changing thermophysical properties into sensors, and the difficulties associated with nondestructive evaluation methods when composition changes spatially. This talk will discuss progress made in understanding gradient materials, their modeling, manufacturing, and evaluation using destructive and nondestructive methods.