Computational Design of Advanced Alloys for USN Landing Gear

The United States Navy (USN) uses a number of high strength steels, primarily AerMet100, in demanding landing gear structural applications. Unfortunately AerMet100 is expensive and, despite impressive mechanical properties, is subject to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and requires plating operations for corrosion resistance. In a recently completed Phase I SBIR program QuesTek Innovations applied its proven Materials by Design® methodology to demonstrate feasibility of a low-cost, high-strength, high-fracture-tough, SCC resistant alloy. Modeling and simulation technologies were used to design the composition and processing of the new alloy. In the Phase I program a prototype alloy demonstrated strength, fracture toughness, and SCC resistance as good as or better than the current AerMet100 alloy at approximately half the procurement cost of AerMet100. The Phase II program proposed herein details a plan to scale-up this technology to full-scale multi-ton ingots appropriate for landing gear production. While the target platform for this program is the Presidential Helicopter; QuesTek envisions performance, cost, and reliability benefits for landing gear systems throughout the USN and commercial aviation.