FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Brenham, TX – November 18, 2024 – REM Surface Engineering (REM) has successfully completed a $1.5 million research contract under the United States Air Force (USAF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The research focused on the development of manufacturing, heat treatment, and surface finishing guidelines aimed at optimizing IN-718 additive manufacturing (AM) components. The results of this study, including a comprehensive fatigue study across multiple vendors and machine OEMs, were shared at prominent industry conferences such as ASTM’s ICAM, Rapid+TCT, and WAMS. Additionally, one vendor, AddUp, shared exciting findings from the study in their recent press release.
A Groundbreaking Study in IN-718 Additive Manufacturing
The research was designed to harness the capabilities of laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) and advanced surface finishing technologies to produce durable IN-718 components suitable for legacy armament systems. Through a series of meticulous tests, the study analyzed the effects of different heat treatment and printing parameter combinations on the mechanical properties of IN-718, mainly focusing on tensile strength and fatigue life.
This blind study included four major metal AM OEMs and service bureaus, with each participant contributing to critical testing aimed at evaluating fatigue performance under various conditions. Key testing factors included Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) vs. non-HIP treatments, contour vs. non-contour melting strategies, and printing at multiple angles.
The Importance of Fatigue Resistance in Aerospace and Defense
Fatigue resistance is critical in aerospace and defense components, where failure due to material degradation can have catastrophic consequences. The results of this research emphasize how optimizing AM parameters, alongside REM’s proprietary finishing technology, can enhance the longevity and reliability of components used in high-stakes environments.
About REM Surface Engineering
REM Surface Engineering is a leader in surface engineering solutions, serving industries such as aerospace, defense, and commercial sectors. A U.S.-based small business with global operations in the UK and Germany, REM is committed to advancing additive manufacturing technologies, particularly for the aerospace and defense industries. REM’s Extreme ISF® Process is a state-of-the-art solution designed to address surface roughness and defects in metal AM components, enhancing properties like fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, and overall performance.
REM operates under ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100:2016 Rev. D certified Quality Management Systems, ensuring the highest standards in manufacturing and customer satisfaction.
To learn more about REM Surface Engineering, or to browse the brand-new website, please visit: www.remchem.com.
Media Contact: Christina Michaud