Processing Bulk Nanostructured Materials Using Controlled Detonation Waves

BMDO seeks development of advanced techniques and processes for major improvements in materials properties and cost effectiveness. Nanostructured materials constitute a new frontier in materials science. Materials exhibit remarkable properties when their grain size is refined to 100's of nm. The proposed technique utilizes the energy from a detonation wave to impart severe plastic deformation to refine the material's grains to 100's of nm. This technique is innovative because 1) high temperatures and dynamic loads can be applied in short time frames with resultant small heat transfer, 2) fully-dense bulk materials can be economically processed, 3) there are no moving mechanical parts, complex electromagnetic circuits, or large electrical discharges, 4) the process will use readily available fuel gases, 5) it is adaptable to the processing of large and varied shape components. UTRON will: (1) develop a methodology for controlled and repeatable detonation of various gaseous propellants/fuels, (2) analyze different material loading configurations, and (3) develop a design of a prototype device for Phase II experiments. The Phase II objectives will be to demonstrate repetitive and controlled detonation of gaseous propellants and demonstrate the technique for processing bulk nanostructured light metallic (A1, Ti, Mg) based alloys and composites.