Utilizing the characteristics of additive manufacture to build inherently damped titanium structures
Abstract
Modern aero engines are much more efficient in terms of fuel burn and power output than the older systems they replace. Some of this efficiency improvement is achieved via the replacement of multiple components with a single complex part of much lower mass. While this produces a great many benefits, it also removes the opportunity for friction between components to remove unwanted vibration energy from the system. This can eventually lead to damage as structures are subjected to greater levels of fluctuating load. In this project, we will develop and evaluate a new method to manufacture titanium components designed to damp (reduce) vibrations. This will be achieved using additive manufacture (AM) (also known as 3D printing) to encapsulate powder within structures. It is believed that under vibration loading, the movement of these powder particles over each other, and the friction this generates, will absorb energy and reduce the amplitude of the vibration bending. This project will develop a manufacturing route for damped structures made from titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V, which is a common aerospace material. We will establish the most effective manufacturing method to produce components capable of damping vibrations. This will require balancing a number of competing interests during manufacture. In turn, this will increase component life and allow even greater efficiency to be achieved in future aero engines, particularly when combined with the increased geometric freedom offered by AM.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 21, 2022
- Source ID
- FA86552217129XX0
Entities
People
- Sam Tammas-williams
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Edinburgh