Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company, P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3521

A -- METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITES SOL Cbd1899 DUE 041599 POC Paul Grahovac WEB: Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Laboratory, http://www.inel.gov/procurement/litco/index.htm. E-MAIL: Paul Grahovac, pg2@inel.gov. A -- Metal-matrix composites for complex parts and near net shapes with a uniform composite structure and superior mechanical property advantages over pure metals. U. S. Patent Numbers 5,052,331and 4,970,091. This is a potential technology development and licensing opportunity with Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company (LMITCO), the prime operating contractor for the Department of Energy at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). This technology provides a new and improved approach to producing near net shape parts having aluminum and aluminum/silicon carbide composite coatings. The apparatus is basically a substantially modified gas-metal arc welding torch, in which aluminum wire feed stock is melted for deposition The melted aluminum wire feed stock can also be combined with silicon carbide reinforcing particulate matter, such as particles, whiskers or fibers which are entrained in an inert gas. Upon striking a substrate or mold, the aluminum droplets will producean aluminum coating. If silicon carbide particulates are also present with the aluminum droplets, the aluminum and the silicon carbide particulate mixture solidifies into a coating of a composite structure. Aluminum is a widely used structural material which is especially desirable for applications in which high strength-to-weight ratios are needed. Recent attention has focused on further improving the properties of aluminum alloys by using them as a matrix material in composites. Metal-matrix composites MMC) have unique mechanical property advantages over pure metals as engineering materials with high strength and modulus, improved fatigue and wear resistance,and good elevated temperature creep properties can be manufactured, and their properties can be made directional by the appropriate choice of reinforcement shape, volume fraction, and processing. Within the aluminum alloy system, silicon carbide (SiC) is one of the leading reinforcement materials. Aluminum/silicon carbide (Al/SiC) composites are relatively inexpensive and they have high specific strength and specific stiffness that make them candidates for specific stiffness that make them candidates for critical aerospace, automotive, and optical applications. LMITCO is seeking a written indication of interest from industry partners interested in funding a collaborative technology development project and/or entering into a license agreement for the purpose of developing and commercializing this technology. License terms will include an up-front licensing fee and a running royalty based on a percentage of sales. This is not an opportunity to provide goods or services to LMITCO or the Department of Energy. This Request for Interest (RFI) will close to response 30 days after publication. Interested parties should send e-mail to pg2@inel.gov (Paul Grahovac, Account Executive, Technology Transfer Office, LMITCO). If you do not have e-mail access, send regular mail to Paul Grahovac, Account Executive, Technology Transfer Office, LMITCO, P. O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3805. Posted 03/17/99 (W-SN309652). (0076)

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