Additive Manufacturing of 17-4 PH Stainless Steel Metal Matrix Composites using Nickel functionalized Carbon Nanotubes

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has a potential to significantly reduce the cost and lead time associated with the maintenance and sustainment issues faced by the US Navy. However, current materials such as 17-4 PH Stainless Steel typically achieve half the required mechanical properties when additively manufactured, thus limiting the use of AM in critical parts. Recent advancements in carbon nanotube technology allow for the AM production of components using a carbon nanotube metal matrix concept that has a 50% increase in modulus and a 100% increase in yield strength and ultimate tensile strength over the baseline metal. With this improvement, as produced AM materials can achieve mechanical properties comparable to wrought and forged materials and thereby address a substantially larger portion of the components critical to the maintenance and sustainment of US Navy systemsBy using commercially available carbon nanotubes and metal powders, the primary team of SHEPRA and the University of Dayton and its partners Lockheed Martin, Solid Concepts and EOS, inc will use established supply chains and sales channels to most effectively bring this innovation to the US Navy.