Gravitas Technologies links with researchers for new alloy components

The University of Wollongong will work with engineered materials company Gravitas Technologies to develop additive manufacturing systems for fabricating advanced alloy components following the award of an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Projects grant to the New South Wales university.

Gravitas, which provides engineering and materials solutions for extreme environments, will work with a team led by Dr David Wexler, Senior Fellow with UOW’s School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering.

Gravitas brings together various disciplines, such as engineering, science, mechatronics, manufacturing, and fabrication to solve complex industrial application issues.

The researchers will employ state-of-the-art alloy modelling and a new additive manufacturing approach to fabricate advanced alloy components with superior high temperature and chemical properties.

This will lead to the manufacture of stronger and more damage-resistant, high temperature parts for high-speed aerospace vehicles.

It also aims to produce more stable corrosion-resistant alloys required for containing the highly-reactive molten salts used to both store and transfer energy in emerging solar-thermal power systems.

Linkage grants are designed to support collaborative research that is fundamental to transforming industries, building communities and strengthening the Australian economy.

Dr Wexler said the research would bolster Australian industries, including aerospace, defence and green energy sectors.

Dr Wexler said: “We will develop and improve a 3D metal printing method using a robot-controlled welder to directly produce components, layer by layer, from molten alloy wires or from a spray of molten metal droplets.

“Advanced post-processing operations will further enhance product properties.

“This approach has advantages in cost, product quality and production efficiency compared to current 3D metal printing technologies.”

Dr Wexler said the partnership with Gravitas Technologies gave the university an opportunity to enhance currently lacking, sovereign capabilities in advanced alloy component manufacture in strategically important fields.

Picture: Gravitas Technologies