FARNBOROUGH, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Norsk Titanium (Norsk) and QuesTek Innovations LLC (QuesTek) announce a collaborative effort to test novel titanium alloys for applicability in additive manufacturing processes. As part of this collaboration, the companies are evaluating a QuesTek-designed titanium alloy using Norsk’s Rapid Plasma Deposition™ (RPD™) process. Preliminary evaluation of the alloy is complete and Norsk has manufactured initial test specimens.
The test program will characterize the alloy microstructure, provide initial material properties, and will confirm QuesTek’s Ti alloy performance using Norsk’s proven production process. QuesTek’s patented titanium alloy has previously demonstrated approximately 15% greater strength and improved ductility over traditional Ti-6Al-4V in both wire-based Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing and traditional casting processes.
"We are excited to be working closely with Norsk Titanium’s business and technical team to evaluate our alloy in their proven process. Based on our interactions with the major aerospace component suppliers and aircraft OEMs in the U.S., Europe and Japan, we know there is a significant desire for reliable, higher performance Additive Manufactured titanium components that will enable light weighting and an increase in component life,” said QuesTek's Manager of Business Development Jeff Grabowski.
When implemented, the new alloy is expected to provide material properties in excess of the standard Ti-6Al-4V already provided by Norsk. “Norsk is continually evaluating new applications of our process beyond the structural airframe components in production today. QuesTek’s novel titanium alloy will allow RPD™ to grow into new applications and will allow designers to take further advantage of the benefits of additive processes,” stated Norsk Vice President of Product Development Nicholas Mayer.
Norsk will have a display of its RPD™ technology at the upcoming Farnborough International Airshow, Hall 4, Booth 41430, 2018, July 16-20. For more information, visit norsktitanium.com.
About Norsk Titanium
Norsk Titanium AS is the world’s pioneering supplier of aerospace-grade, additive manufactured, structural titanium components. The company is distinguished in the aviation industry by its patented Rapid Plasma Deposition™ (RPD™) process that transforms titanium wire into complex components suitable for structural and safety-critical applications. Norsk Titanium is a tier-1 supplier to Boeing and is committed to cost-reducing aerostructures and jet engines for the world’s premier aerospace manufacturers. RPD™ is the world’s first FAA-approved, 3D-printed, structural titanium, delivering substantial lead-time and cost savings for aerospace, defense, and commercial customers. www.norsktitanium.com
About QuesTek Innovations
QuesTek Innovations LLC is a global leader in Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME). QuesTek has used its proprietary Materials by Design® methodology to rapidly design and deploy a family of commercially-available Ferrium® steels that are being used in demanding military landing gear applications, flight-critical components on SpaceX rockets, and are being qualified to increase the power density and durability of next generation helicopter transmission gears. QuesTek has been involved in 30 projects to resolve materials issues across various alloy systems in additive manufacturing (Al, Mg, Cu, Fe, Co, Ni and Ti) to improve component performance. www.questek.com
