Manufacturing For Design of Titanium Alloys

This SBIR Phase I program proposes to exploit the tremendous benefits that could be offered by the development of a microstructural refinement and control technology for titanium alloys. A severe plastic deformation (SPD) technology based on hot die isothermal forging technologies will be explored in this work. The goal is to demonstrate a practical, production level manufacturing approach to producing bulk-sized titanium alloy components with refined and controllable microstructure-properties. Higher performance titanium alloys would be particularly advantageous for next generation airframe and engine structures and components seeking improved structural efficiency. The effect of different thermomechanical conditions to achieve the requisite microstructure-properties also needs to be understood in order to identify the optimum process.

Potential NASA applications are airframe, aircraft engine, and spaceframe structural components that require greater structural efficiency and/or higher performance.

Potential non-NASA commercial applications are commercial and military airframe, aircraft engine, and spaceframe structural components that require greater structural efficiency and/or higher performance. Other potential applications include higher performance industrial pump and valve components, biomedical implants, and sporting goods.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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.