SBIR Phase II: Novel Methods to Produce Nanocrystalline Materials

这个小企业创新研究第二阶段项目将设计和建造一个改进的、优化的机器，该机器将使用廉价的正常晶粒尺寸材料、不同材料的相对电极或编织线电极生产纳米合金和分散相复合材料。在第一阶段，使用基于脉冲反应电极（PRE）技术的设备，证明了生产铁和镍铝化物纳米颗粒以及Ta（钽），W（钨）和W-2% ThO2（氧化钍）的可行性。机器将对工艺参数有更大的控制，因此，纳米颗粒的最终尺寸。第二阶段的第二个目标是将生产速度从克/小时提高到公斤/天，通常是每8小时轮班生产5-10公斤纳米粉末，从而在第三阶段展示可扩展到全尺寸商业工艺的原型生产能力。重新设计的机器将用于生产金属间纳米级粉末，如a和y钛铝化物和二硫化钼(MoSi2)-纯和复合形式的难熔金属（如Nb（铌），Ta）分散相。在颗粒生产过程中加入活性气体可以形成碳化物、氮化物和硼化物，从而产生独特的纳米复合材料。基于MoSi2的纳米材料在窑炉/焚烧炉/冶金炉工业中存在潜在的大应用领域。一个重要的改造业务已经确定从直接燃烧的回转窑和煅烧炉转换为间接燃烧系统。此外，通用汽车和福特等汽车制造商也对TiAl的连杆、空心轴和风扇叶片感兴趣。

9509020 Stiglich This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will design and construct an improved, optimized machine that will produce nanoparticles of alloys and dispersed phase composites using electrodes of inexpensive normal grain size materials, opposed electrodes of different materials or braided wire electrodes. The feasibility of producing nanoparticles of iron and nickel aluminides as well as Ta (tantalum), W (tungsten), and W-2% ThO2 (thorium oxide) was demonstrated during Phase I by using equipment that was adapted based on pulsed reactive electrode (PRE) technology. The machine will have much greater control over the process parameters, and hence, the final size of the nanoparticles produced. A secondary objective of Phase II will be to increase production rates from g/hr to kg/day, typically 5-10 Kgs of nanopowder per 8 hr shift, thus demonstrating a prototype production capability scaleable to a full size commercial process in Phase III. The redesigned machine will be used to produce intermetallic nanoscale powders such as a and y titanium aluminides and molybdenum di sulphide (MoSi2 )- both pure and in composite form with refractory metal (e.g. Nb (niobium), Ta) dispersed phases. The addition of reactive gases to the particle production process can cause formation of carbides, nitrides, and borides thus creating unique nanocomposites. A potentially large application area exists for MoSi2 based nanomaterials in the Kiln/ incinerator/metallurgical furnace industries. A significant retrofit business has been identified for converting from direct fired rotary kilns and calciners to indirect fired systems. Additionally, automotive manufacturers such as GM and Ford are interested in connecting rods, hollow shafts, and fan blades from TiAl.