STTR Phase I: Rapid Freeze Prototyping of Investment Cast Thin Wall Metal Matrix Composites

STTR 第一阶段：熔模铸造薄壁金属基复合材料的快速冷冻原型制作

• 批准号: 0637556
• 负责人: Tim Hill
• 金额: $ 15万
• 依托单位: O'Fallon Casting
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2007-01-01 至 2007-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0637556&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: STTR; Phase; Rapid; Freeze; Prototyping

The Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase I project will determine the feasibility of thin-wall pattern production by rapid freeze prototyping (RFP) and the feasibility of investment casting with thin-wall ice patterns. The overall goal of the project then is to use RFP in conjunction with investment casting to produce thin-wall metal matrix composites. RFP is a novel solid freeform fabrication process that builds a three dimensional ice part according to a CAD model by depositing and rapidly freezing water in a layer-by-layer manner. Advantages of the RFP, when compared to existing commercial solid freeform fabrication processes include: fine surface finish, good dimensional accuracy, low energy consumption, and ease of pattern removal in casting and molding applications. The proposed research will extend composite casting technology from the currently available wall thickness of 0.4-0.6mm down to less than 0.3mm. Rapid freeze prototyping in conjunction with investment casting to produce thin-wall metal matrix composites (MMC) would be a competitive niche technology compared to alternatives for production of high stiffness, lightweight, and thin-walled or intricately shaped components in low volume for both military and commercial applications.

小型企业技术转移研究（STTR）I阶段项目将通过快速冻结原型制作（RFP）和具有薄壁冰模式的投资铸造的可行性来确定薄壁模式生产的可行性。 然后，该项目的总体目标是将RFP与投资铸造结合使用来生产薄壁金属基质复合材料。 RFP是一种新型的固体自由形式制造工艺，它通过以逐层的方式沉积并快速冷冻水来根据CAD模型建立三维冰块。 与现有的商业固体自由形式制造过程相比，RFP的优点包括：良好的表面饰面，良好的尺寸准确性，低能消耗以及在铸造和成型应用中易于删除图案。 拟议的研究将将复合铸造技术从当前可用的壁厚厚度下降到0.4-0.6mm，至小于0.3mm。与用于生产薄壁金属基质组合材料（MMC）的投资铸造结合使用，与低刚度，轻量级和薄壁壁形成或较低体积的高体积和商业应用中形状形状的组件相比，将是一种具有竞争力的利基技术。