CLIENT: ATI INC.
Matching funding provided by: The Oregon Metals Initiative (OMI)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
- Motivation / Goals: The proliferation and increase in sophistication of metal additive manufacturing has compelled significant research and development of powdered metals. A key aspect of this work is the heat treatment of the powdered metal. Currently, the typical laboratory method consists of placing the powder in a crucible placed in a furnace located in a glove box (to provide the desired gaseous environment). This method is inefficient, imprecise, and in need of improvement.
- Approach: Engineer, design, and build a continuous-flow powdered-metal heat-treatment apparatus incorporating a gas-handling system to provide the desired gaseous environment.
STAFFING
- PDL graduate student Jacob Porter.
RESULTS
- A fully-functioning machine was built and tested at OSU, and delivered to the client where it is being used for research and development of powdered metal.
- A conference paper entitled “Powdered Metal Heat Treating Apparatus Designed for a Laboratory” describing the apparatus was published by ASME and presented at the 2020 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition.
