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Light Weight Solutions for High-Performance Components by Additive Manufacturing

Reference number
Coordinator Swerea KIMAB AB - Swerea KIMAB AB, Kista
Funding from Vinnova SEK 5 000 000
Project duration December 2015 - August 2018
Status Completed
Venture The strategic innovation programme SIP LIGHTer

Important results from the project

Powder bed fusion by electron or laser beam are the most industrialised additive manufacturing (AM) technologies for production of some aerospace engine components and medical implants based on Ti-alloys. The project goal was to extend application to new materials and light weight applications namely manufacturing of the difficult-to-build by AM precipitation hardening Ni-based superalloys for high-temperature applications in gas turbine components and components for rocket engines. The project has shown new opportunities, but also identified challenges.

Expected long term effects

The project has developed technology and built up knowledge along the entire value chain from design, powder, AM-process to verification of properties for high-value components of Ni-based superalloys. The potential to significantly shorter development time and decrease the weight of the high-value components through combination of improved design and properties has been shown. The demonstrator components have been used to prove the proposed concept and will inspire future product development of light weight components fabricated by AM.

Approach and implementation

The project work covered the whole production chain; design and topology optimisation, powder development, manufacturing and process development for AM, post treatment and characterisation of powder, material and demonstrators. The research was based on application requirements and included building of a knowledge base concerning required base material properties (nickel based superalloys as powder) and establishment of process parameters to ensure robust high qualitiative manufacturing by powder bed fusion by electron or laser beam.

The project description has been provided by the project members themselves and the text has not been looked at by our editors.

Last updated 8 January 2019

Reference number 2015-05086