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 toxic plating operations for corrosion resistance. QuesTek Innovations proposes to apply its proven Materials by Design® methodology to work with the USN to develop a low-cost, high-strength, high-fracture-tough, SCC resistant alloy. Extensive experience and a prior knowledge base in high-strength corrosion-resistant alloys uniquely positions QuesTek to use modeling and simulation technologies to develop this alloy for the USN. In QuesTek’s prior work on landing gear steels with both the USN and USAF, several novel prototypes extending the current state of the art in optimizing strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance were designed and developed. QuesTek will extend this prior work to consider two design optima: a high-performance stainless steel, and an AerMet100 drop-in replacement alloy with significantly lower cost. This two-pronged approach reduces technical risk and maximizes the resulting benefits. 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.