You are here

Laser Induced Surface Improvement for Superior Wear Resistance in Extreme Conditions

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA9550-10-C-0142
Agency Tracking Number: F09B-T19-0072
Amount: $99,992.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF09-BT19
Solicitation Number: 2009.B
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2009
Award Year: 2010
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2010-05-28
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2011-02-28
Small Business Information
215 Wynn Dr., 5th Floor
Huntsville, AL 35805
United States
DUNS: 185169620
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Richard Thoms
 Manager
 (256) 726-4810
 tsb@cfdrc.com
Business Contact
 Deborah Phipps
Title: Contracts Specialist
Phone: (256) 726-4884
Email: dap@cfdrc.com
Research Institution
 University of Tennessee Space Insti
 William Hofmeister
 
411 B.H. Goethert Parkway
Tullahoma, TN 37388
United States

 (931) 393-7466
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

The objective of this Phase I project is to evaluate the use of novel Laser Induced Surface Improvement (LISI) techniques to provide surface modification to substrate materials which will provide superior wear resistance in extreme conditions. The specific application of interest is the hypersonic metal-to-metal contact that occurs at high speed test track facilities that can and has lead to catastrophic failure of the guide rail system. Our proposal will modify the surface of the rail material (AISI 1080 steel) to provide an integral alloyed surface with superior wear resistant capabilities. In Phase I we will identify the most promising precursor alloy materials and apply them with the LISI process to test coupons for wear evaluation. Parametric studies of wear response to various LISI process parameters will be performed to find the optimum alloy materials and process for this application. Finally we will apply the process to a section of test track rail to prove the ability to process all wear bearing surfaces (top, sides, and bottom of rail) in a controlled and satisfactory manner. In Phase II we will engineer a delivery system to allow in-situ application of the LISI process to rails in the field. BENEFIT: Extreme conditions for wear are found in many commercial applications. While the high speed test track is an extreme case due to the high speeds encountered, it does have relatively low loads. It is actually the product of pressure and velocity that induces the wear and there are many commercial applications that have lower velocity but much higher pressures (and thus similar Pv quantities as the present application). It is therefore expected that this process can be used in many other high wear situations. The fact that we are working on rail geometry lends itself immediately for use on other rail geometries including train, crane, presses, etc.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government