Search Results for fusion energy

The development of polymers, traditionally neglected in fusion materials research, is crucial to the success of commercial fusion energy. This article provides an overview of the materials science and technology challenges that will need to be addressed to develop the mechanically “soft” materials that will serve functional needs in a fusion pilot plant.

Radio frequency inductively coupled plasma (RF-ICP) spraying is shown to be a promising method for producing oxidation-resistant W and W-Cr coatings on plasma-facing surfaces in fission and fusion reactors.

A new fusion cladding process that uses high-intensity arc lamps can produce pinhole free, smooth, uniform coatings as thick as 15 mm from various feedstock materials. This article briefly describes the process and the corrosion, wear, and high-temperature behavior of fusion claddings designed for oil and gas pipelines and related components.

Metal additive manufacturing has steadily progressed over the past decade, with today’s directed energy deposition processes enabling rapid builds of large structures in near-net shape—and with minimal machining required to achieve final dimensions.

This article describes how shielding gas composition, either argon or nitrogen, affects the hardness, tensile strength, and toughness of high-power, high-brightness laser welds made on various base materials, including A508 forging steel, 316L stainless steel, Inconel 690, and solution-annealed IN718.

Although the widespread use of titanium alloys is constrained by high costs, powder metallurgy techniques such as additive manufacturing (AM) represent an economical approach to fabricating titanium components. Various approaches to AM, along with examples of components made by different AM processes, are presented. The microstructures and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V produced by AM are also discussed and compared with cast and wrought products. Finally, the economic advantages of AM compared to conventional processing are presented.

In order to expand the choice of materials available for use in additive manufacturing, parameters that consider welding metallurgy, laser powder interaction, and post processing must be developed. This article describes the outcomes of process development for a steel and stainless steel alloy that are not standard materials for laser powder bed fusion equipment.

Laser powder bed fusion (LBFP) additive manufacturing is a potential route for the rapid qualification of new materials for use in nuclear reactor design. Process anomalies such as spatter particles can induce lack of fusion (LOF) voids that may adversely affect the material's mechanical performance. This examination of the spatter particle process in a nickel superalloy using X-ray computed tomography and optical microscopy was conducted to identify possible causes for the formation of LOF voids and other variations during LBPF processing.

Metal 3D printing is expanding manufacturing possibilities by enabling new designs and improved outcomes. This article discusses some recent advances in processes and in metals suitable for additive manufacturing.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: ASM announces 2019 award recipients; ASM Historical Landmark designation for the Ferreria Mirandaola Ironworks, Legazpi, Guipúzcoa, Basque Country, Spain; contributor profile for George E. Totten; professional profile for Brenda L. Garcia-Diaz.

The manufacture of electric motors using additive methods offers potential advantages of increased efficiency, weight reduction, and customizability over traditional processes. This article describes some key developments and challenges related to additively manufactured electric motors in terms of manufacturing, materials development, and design.

An ambitious automotive concept incorporates mixed materials in all major vehicle systems of a five-passenger sedan to achieve an overall weight reduction of 23%. This article explores the vehicle design and material usage details, system by system.

This article series explores the indispensable role of characterization in the development of cold spray coatings and illustrates some of the common processes used during coating development.

The extreme high-speed laser application (EHLA) process offers efficient deposition of high-performance materials in aerospace manufacturing, providing key advantages compared to conventional laser cladding. As a sustainable alternative to chrome plating, EHLA excels in material integrity, efficiency, and performance, while reducing costs compared to thermal spray and conventional laser cladding. This article discusses how EHLA can help to address many sustainability concerns within the manufacturing sector.

The next generation of metal additive manufacturing leverages the advantages of cold spray to offer promising options for applications in aerospace, automotive, and biomedical engineering.

Increasing use of nonmetallic materials in wind turbine blades is driving the development of nondestructive microwave test methods.

The fraction and size of pores present in EBM Ti-6Al-4V specimens varies depending on the melting strategy used, whether linear raster melting or point melting.

Ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) originated from ultrasonic metal welding, first developed in the 1950s. Modern applications include welding of battery tabs, thin foil packaging, and electronic wire production. The article reports on a unique UAM method that excels at mixed metal applications. The technology won the 2022 ASM Engineering Materials Achievement Award.

The 15th World Conference on Titanium included papers on titanium alloy development, efforts to reduce Ti powder costs, additive manufacturing, and computational materials modeling tools. This article reviews some of the key advances reported at the conference.

The benefits and flexibility of using additive manufacturing (AM) open up new possibilities for lithium-ion battery design and performance beyond the limitations of traditional manufacturing methods. In particular, AM offers the ability to build on-demand complex geometries and shape-conformable battery components with tailored properties. While 3D printing offers significant potential, challenges include considerations related to feedstock consistency, printing parameters, and electrochemical performance of the printed components.