Direct Sheet Fabrication of Advanced Materials

摘要

Advanced intermetallic alloys are costly, both in time and money, to produce in sheet form, limiting their application in industry despite highly attractive thermomechanical properties. Recently, a method of near net shape metallic sheet fabrication was developed in the Infrared Processing Center at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This novel method employs a plasma arc lamp as a source of high-density infrared radiation. The resultant radiant heat transfer is used to rapidly heat (in excess of 1000°C/s) and liquid phase sinter powder metal compacts. In this study, Ti-6-4 thin sheet was produced utilizing this new process. Mechanical testing and microstructural observation was performed on the sheet. Final gauge thickness sheet can be produced in one hour. Despite visual flaws in the microstructure, mechanical properties approached that of conventionally produced material. Further study of the fabrication process will eliminate flaws in future processed materials.