Affordable Manufacturing of Refractory Metal Components

The primary objective of this SBIR initiative is to develop, demonstrate, and validate new manufacturing technologies. The focus is complex parts made from refractory metals manufactured at reduced costs and increased fabrication rates. The target components are for use in post-boost control system (PBCS) hot-gas valves and manifolds. Emphasis on and addressing scale up for fabrication of full-scale components with significant dimensional and geometric complexity is a point of emphasis. Phase I and Option I efforts showed EBAM produced C103 material outperformed handbook elevated temperature ultimate strength by 150% and yield strength by 170%. Phase II activity will expand on Phase I specifically through further material information, improved part positioning/holding, and advanced control and process repeatability.