Advanced Materials High Cycle Fatigue Testing (AM-HCFT)

The Advanced Materials High Cycle Fatigue Testing task aims to characterize the very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) behavior of critical additive manufacturing (AM) alloys used in Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines (RDRE). This task directly supports the program's strategic goals by addressing a significant knowledge gap in materials performance that could impact engine reliability and safety. The data generated will enable more accurate life prediction models and support design optimization for next-generation propulsion systems. This task will establish a comprehensive testing and evaluation framework for characterizing high cycle fatigue behavior of key additive manufacturing alloys at cycle counts far beyond conventional testing limits (100M-1B cycles). The work addresses a critical gap in materials data needed for RDRE components, where standard HCF data (up to 10M cycles) is insufficient for accurately predicting component life.   The primary focus will be on ultrasonic fatigue testing methods capable of efficiently reaching very high cycle counts, complemented by conventional hydraulic testing for comparison. The task will include characterization of pre- and post-test specimens to understand failure mechanisms and material behavior. Workplan: * Establish multi-year contract to partner with University of Toledo to conduct ultrasonic VHCF testing of key alloys, characterization of material, post-test analysis, and publication.  University of Toledo will lead the activity, and funding would cover 2 Ph.D. students for 2 years.   * NASA to procure and heat treat test specimens for 4 key alloys (GRCop-42, ORCAlloy-21, Alloy 718, and Ti6Al4V). * Develop correlations between ultrasonic and conventional testing methods to inform design modeling assumptions. * Evaluate 4 alloys of interest to RDREs with variations to improve quality of publications for academic collaborators and targeted applications for AM industry listed in order of priority.   * Document findings in open literature publications.

The Advanced Materials High Cycle Fatigue Testing task aims to characterize the very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) behavior of critical additive manufacturing (AM) alloys used in Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines (RDRE). This task directly supports the program's strategic goals by addressing a significant knowledge gap in materials performance that could impact engine reliability and safety. The data generated will enable more accurate life prediction models and support design optimization for next-generation propulsion systems. This task will establish a comprehensive testing and evaluation framework for characterizing high cycle fatigue behavior of key additive manufacturing alloys at cycle counts far beyond conventional testing limits (100M-1B cycles). The work addresses a critical gap in materials data needed for RDRE components, where standard HCF data (up to 10M cycles) is insufficient for accurately predicting component life. The primary focus will be on ultrasonic fatigue testing methods capable of efficiently reaching very high cycle counts, complemented by conventional hydraulic testing for comparison. The task will include characterization of pre- and post-test specimens to understand failure mechanisms and material behavior. Workplan: Establish multi-year contract to partner with University of Toledo to conduct ultrasonic VHCF testing of key alloys, characterization of material, post-test analysis, and publication.  University of Toledo will lead the activity, and funding would cover 2 Ph.D. students for 2 years. NASA to procure and heat treat test specimens for 4 key alloys (GRCop-42, ORCAlloy-21, Alloy 718, and Ti6Al4V). Develop correlations between ultrasonic and conventional testing methods to inform design modeling assumptions. Evaluate 4 alloys of interest to RDREs with variations to improve quality of publications for academic collaborators and targeted applications for AM industry listed in order of priority. Document findings in open literature publications.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.