Innovative Titanium Lattice Structures for Off-board Surface Vessels

Lattice Block Structures are innovative, periodic cellular materials whose combination of affordability, low relative density, and substantial strength represents a significant advance in the state-of-the-art of engineered structural materials. Lattice Block Structures in particular have superior kinetic energy absorbing ability that stems from the collapsibility of the internal cells. As a result, these materials in the form of titanium alloys are ideal for use in the construction and/or optimization of manned and unmanned surface vessels operating in harsh marine surface and sub-surface environments. This STTR Phase I effort proposes to evaluate the feasibility of an innovative cast titanium Lattice Block Structures technology for use as structures for Off-board Surface Vessels.BENEFITS: Titanium Lattice Block Structures are innovations that provide tremendous opportunities for producing lightweight, damage tolerant structures for aerospace and non-aerospace systems. Due to the high cost of the present forms of periodic cellular structures and composite materials, sea water-resistant titanium alloy lattices can be used to replace more expensive structures for naval applications. In addition to shipboard structures, immediate applications for these materials include military aircraft and missile systems, combat and land vehicles as well as commercial aircraft and civil structures.