Higher Strength, Lighter Weight Aluminum Spacecraft Structures

This SBIR Phase I program proposes to develop a bulk processing technology for producing ultra fine grain (UFG) aluminum alloy structures. The goal is to demonstrate a practical, production level manufacturing approach for producing bulk-sized aluminum alloy structures and eventually near-net shape components with nano-scale microstructures. Ultra fine grain aluminum alloys could be particularly advantageous for higher performance, lighter weight spacecraft structures, airframes, and space-frames and structural components needed for next generation commercial and military systems. The effect of different thermo-mechanical conditions to achieve the requisite microstructure-properties also needs to be understood, and will be developed in this project.