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Research & Development Request

H2020-Clean Sky 2: Industry or academics with in-house Electron Beam Melting machines sought for process optimization

Country of Origin: France
Reference Number: RDFR20180125001
Publication Date: 25 January 2018

Summary

A French engineering company with high expertise in thermomechanics and materials for additive manufacturing in the aerospace sector is developing a proposal for the 7th Clean Sky Call (topic LPA-01-37-Next Generation Low Pressure Turbine Airfoils by ALM). The project aims at developing and assessing alloys by a power bed Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) process. An industrial or academic partner owning Electron Beam Melting (EBM) machine is sought to set-up and optimize the process.

Description

The development of new materials joined with the extensive use of new Additive manufacturing technologies are fundamental enablers to develop high technology components such as LPT (Low Pressure Turbine) blades that will be installed on the next generation engines, characterized by reduced weight, increased reliability and performance. 

The main objective of the project is to develop and assess alloys by powder bed additive process to be applied on next generation LPT airfoils production. The focus will be on Titanium Aluminide (TiAl) that has been proven to be produced by EBM as well as on Nickel alloys for higher temperature capability through laser beam melting.

Both technologies will be used to produce components and demonstrate the producibility in order to achieve a Technology Readiness Level 3 (TRL3).

The French company targeted the topic LPA-01-37 “Next Generation Low Pressure Turbine Airfoils by ALM” of the 7th Clean Sky call for proposals and is looking for a last partner to complete its consortium. Activities to be covered are related to additive manufacturing by EBM (Electron Beam Melting) of new developed TiAl alloys. Partner sought (either industry or academics) will be involved in the set-up and optimization of the EBM process parameters and heat treatments for those alloys. Once this is done, parts for mechanical testing should be produced. 

Notice: 

a) the workload can be adjusted and some analysis and heat treatments to be done can be shared with other partners

b) it is compulsory that the partner owns in-house EBM machines.



Deadline for EOI : 10/02/2018

Deadline for the call: 27/02/2018

Advantages and Innovations

The challenging environmental and operating goals for a sustainable and competitive aviation sector require radically new technologies for aircraft and engine with a particular focus on the ones that allow to reduce weight. 

New lightweight materials joined with the extensive use of new power bed based Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) technologies are fundamental enablers to develop high technology components that will be installed on the next generation engines, characterized by reduced weight, increased reliability and performance.

The focus will be on Titanium Aluminide that has been proven to be produced by Electron Beam Melting (EBM)

Both technologies (ALM and EBM) will be used together to produce alloys and demonstrate the producibility.

Expertise sought

Expertise in EBM with TiAl alloys and related process

Stage Of Development

Concept stage

Requested partner

Type of partner sought: Industrial or academics partner owning in-house EBM machine.



Role of partner sought: Activities to be covered are related to additive manufacturing by EBM of new developed TiAl alloys. Partner will be involved in the set-up and optimization of the EBM process parameters and heat treatments for those alloys. Once this is done, parts for mechanical testing should be produced. The workload can be adjusted and some analysis and heat treatments to be done can be shared with other partners