A new sintering line suitable for PTFE insulation has been designed and installed by a manufacturer for a producer of aeronautic cables. This machine is suitable for the thermal treatment of the insulation on conductors with diameter 1-7 inches.
In order to guarantee the uniformity of the process, WTM, which specializes in the application of materials for aircraft and aerospace cables and devices particular attention, focused on the definition of the temperature profile to be applied to the cable passing through the sintering ovens. Considering the maximum cable dimension, WTM, which is located in Austria and Italy opted for the induction preheating in the first part of the equipment. The sintering process occurs successively by means of three infrared ovens, equipped with independent control zones, each of them with a maximum temperature of 1022°F.
From the wheels of the Mars Curiosity robot to aircraft wings that can fold to different angles while in the air, NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is expanding the applications for a newly developed alloy that can "remember" and return to its original shape.
In December, Heat TreatToday reported on tires made from heat-treated, shape-memory alloy that results in a woven-mesh metal to provide NASA’s Curiosity robot an easier ride across the rough terrain of Mars. Earlier in January, NASA announced the recent flight series of Ptera, an aircraft with specially made wings meant to improve aerodynamics. The test maneuvers, which took place at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, were part of the Spanwise Adaptive Wing project, or SAW, which aims to validate the use of a cutting-edge, lightweight material to be able to fold the outer portions of aircraft wings and their control surfaces to optimal angles in flight, resulting in multiple in-flight benefits to to aircraft in the future, both subsonic and supersonic -- flying faster than the speed of sound.
SAW, which is a joint effort between Armstrong, NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, or GRC, Langley Research Center in Virginia, Boeing Research & Technology in St. Louis and Seattle, and Area-I Inc. in Kennesaw, Georgia, intends to obtain a wide spectrum of aerodynamic benefits in flight by folding wings through the use of an innovative, lightweight material called shape memory alloy. This material is built into an actuator on the aircraft, where it has the ability to fold the outer portion of an aircraft’s wings in flight without the strain of a heavy hydraulic system. Systems with this new technology may weigh up to 80 percent less than traditional systems.
The Spanwise Adaptive Wing concept seeks to enhance aircraft performance through allowing the outboard portions of wings to adapt, or fold, according to different flight condition demands. NASA engineers believe this could create lateral-directional stability and reduce drag. Credits: NASA
The recent series of flight tests at Armstrong successfully demonstrated the material’s application and use by folding the wings between zero and 70 degrees up and down in flight. The shape memory alloy is triggered by temperature and works by using thermal memory in a tube to move and function as an actuator. Upon being heated, the alloy would activate a twisting motion in the tubes, which ultimately moves the wing’s outer portion up or down.
During the SAW test flights, which included long legs of flight in which the necessary maneuvers for the research could be done, onboard controllers heated and cooled the SAW actuators, folding the wing panels to different angles between zero and 70 degrees.
"We put the SAW technology through a real flight environment, and these flights not only proved that we can fly with this technology, but they validated how we went about integrating it," said SAW Principal Investigator Matt Moholt. "We will use the data from these flights to continue to improve upon the actuation system, including speed and smoothness of actually folding the wings, and we’ll apply them as we get ready to fly again in 2018."
Does anyone know the alloy being used in this application? If so, please email editor@HeatTreatToday.com, and we’ll repeat your answer to our entire audience once we receive it.
A manufacturing group headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, was recently selected by Boeing to supply components for applications on the 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX programs.
The Triumph Group’s multiyear contract extends existing work Triumph Mechanical Solutions provides on the 787 program, as well as adds new 737 MAX content. Triumph Mechanical Solutions is an operating company of Triumph Integrated Systems, which services a broad portfolio of aircraft structures, components, accessories, and systems. This announcement follows a recent agreement with Boeing to provide major structural assemblies for the 767 program, including the production of horizontal stabilizers, doors, aft fuselage and center wing sections for both the 767 freighter and KC-46A Tanker variants.
Triumph’s subassemblies incorporate engineered products with build-to-model components and will be manufactured at the Triumph Mechanical Solutions facility in Windsor, Connecticut. Triumph Mechanical Solutions designs, develops, manufactures and supports highly engineered mechanical controls, actuation, and components.
Rotor Clip, a New Jersey-based manufacturer of retaining rings, wave springs, and self-compensating hose clamps and supplier to aerospace, automotive, industrial, oil & gas, and medical industries, has purchased a complete batch carburizing and austempering line.
The full line consists of a UBQA (universal batch quench austemper) furnace, a washer with transfer pump, temper furnace, transfer car, scissor lift table, and stationary table, all provided by AFC-Holcroft.
The UBQA furnace is designed for neutral hardening, austempering, and other heat treating processes where a controlled environment is required during the heating and quenching portions of the cycle. Parts subjected to the austempering process are shown to have improved mechanical properties such as strength and toughness along with improved dimensional control during processing.
Rotor Clip, which is celebrating its diamond anniversary, is headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, with locations in Europe and Asia. The company’s products are found in components such as ABS brakes, air conditioning compressors, and steering gears to electric vehicle assemblies, and medical equipment.
A global aircraft engine manufacturer recently announced Delta Air Lines and Airbus Group selected the company’s Geared Turbofan™ (GTF) engine to power Delta’s order of A321neo aircraft.
Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp., also released that the order consists of 100 firm aircraft and includes a 20-year EngineWise™ services agreement. Aircraft deliveries are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2020.
“This is the right transaction at the right time for our customers, our employees, and our shareholders,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “Delta, Airbus, and Pratt & Whitney share the same commitment to safety, efficiency, innovation and continuously improving the customer experience. This order for the state-of-the-art A321neo with Pratt’s PurePower next-generation jet engines reflects our long-term commitment to these values for Delta people and all our constituents.”
“We couldn’t be more proud of our long-standing relationship with Delta, which dates back to the 1930s,” said Pratt & Whitney President Robert Leduc. “Fast forward nearly 90 years, and the GTF engine has revolutionized aviation technology, and will provide Delta with proven performance and environmental benefits. We are honored to power and support Delta’s new fleet of A321neo aircraft well into the future.”
Robert Leduc, President of Pratt & Whitney
Delta currently operates a fleet of more than 350 aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, including the JT8D, PW2000, PW4000 and V2500 engines.
Click this thumbnail for an infographic of the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan™ (GTF) engine:
A Michigan-based supplier of custom copper, aluminum, and other non-ferrous metal forging recently broadened its investment in equipment and facilities, including a size expansion to a furnace for heat treating.
Weldaloy Products Company serves aerospace, astrospace, electronics, oil and gas, and other industries, providing heat treating, as well as product development, drafting, machining, packaging, non-destructive testing, and material conversion. Among other additions, a 2,000-ton press has undergone a modernization of its hydraulic system, including pumps, motors, and controls, upgraded ring roller controls. Weldaloy will be expanding its campus in Warren, Michigan, through acquiring two adjacent manufacturing facilities.
“These investments allow us to meet the needs of our customers,” said Kurt Ruppenthal, Weldaloy’s vice president and general manager. “Specifically, we’re increasing our capabilities as a supplier to the aerospace and astrospace markets.”
A new update on MPIF Standard 35 was issued in October 2017 by the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) for aluminum alloys often used in aerospace applications, providing design and materials engineers with performance requirements for specifying aluminum alloys in powder metallurgy. The new standards identify a Rockwell hardness of 75 for the AC-2014-32-T8 and 83 for the AC-2014-38-T8, values which refer to the heat treatment which the alloys undergo.
Kai Soon Fong, Senior Research Engineer, Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology
Researchers from the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology and Nanyang Technological University have devised a method that involves heat treatment processes to strengthen magnesium alloy and produce a more workable, ultra-fine crystalline structure suitable for multiple applications, including aerospace, automotive, transportation, medical and technology.
“By optimizing the processing temperature and strain rate, we were able to achieve an ultrafine-grained microstructure, which does not physically change the alloy, but improves its mechanical properties through grain refinement,” reported Kai Soon Fong, Senior Research Engineer at Singapore Institute of Manufacturing. “This processing led to improved mechanical strength and ductility, making it tougher and easier to shape at room temperature.”
A heat-treatable aerospace grade aluminum composite used heavily in applications for national defense, aviation, and space was recently awarded AMS 4368 specification approval from the Society of Automotive Engineers – Aerospace Material specification Nonferrous Alloys Committee (SAE-AMS).
This is Materion Corporation’s second AMS specification for a SupremEX metal matrix composite.
W. Glenn Maxwell, President, Materion Performance Alloys and Composites
SupremEX® 640XA provides improved performance in aero-engine components and aircraft structures because it is 60 percent lighter than steel and 36 percent lighter than titanium, yet offers high strength, stiffness, and fatigue properties that significantly increase a component’s capability and useful life. The high-quality alloy is reinforced with 40 percent silicon carbide particles and is manufactured using a proprietary mechanical alloying process to ensure a homogenous reinforcement distribution. It provides a refined grain structure and enhanced mechanical properties, making it an ideal replacement for aluminum, titanium, steel and other structural alloys and composites.
SupremEX also provides superior damage tolerance and improved wear resistance when compared to conventional alloys. With a low coefficient of thermal expansion, components made of this composite will not deform over the range of temperatures experienced during flight.
“Other Materion aerospace-grade products have earned SAE-AMS specifications, including SupremEX 225XE, so we understand the value of this designation,” said W. Glenn Maxwell, President, Materion Performance Alloys and Composites. “With this specification, it’s much easier and faster for engineers to include the material in their designs and recommend it to new customers. In fact, many engineers will not consider using materials without SAE-AMS specifications.”
SupremEX 640XA is reinforced with 40 percent silicon carbide particles and is manufactured using a proprietary mechanical alloying process to ensure a homogenous reinforcement distribution. It provides a refined grain structure and enhanced mechanical properties, making it an ideal replacement for aluminum, titanium, steel and other structural alloys and composites.
Aleris has signed a new multi-year contract with Embraer to supply aluminum flat-rolled products for use in the production of all of Embraer’s aircraft. The renewed contract agreement includes the supply of technically advanced alloys and extends the reach of products for aerospace and systems applications.
“Our continued investment in growing our technical capabilities has enabled us to further expand our relationship with Embraer, and we look forward to working with them to achieve their aircraft manufacturing and design goals,” said Sean Stack, Aleris chairman and CEO. “With a world-class aerospace aluminum plate facility in Asia Pacific, we are also uniquely positioned to help them meet aerospace demand in the region which is projected to experience the most significant growth.”
The contract includes the supply of material from the company’s facilities in Koblenz, Germany, and Zhenjiang, China.
