Fabrication of Near-Net-Shape Metal Components

TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY

Fabrication of Near-Net-Shape Metal Components

For metal producers who are dissatisfied with the overall production cost, this technology is a new process for fabricating near-net-shape metal components that reduces the overall product cost and lead time from current processes.

Figure 1: State of the pellets after reduction.

Opportunity:   Idaho National Laboratory (INL), managed and operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), is offering the opportunity to enter into a license and/or collaborative research agreement to commercialize this process for fabricating near-net-shape metal components.  

Overview:        This technology is an electrochemical process for fabricating near-net-shape metal components. Current metal manufacturing involves multiple steps that add up to high production costs. This process includes significant benefits by reducing the overall production cost and lead time. It also can improve product quality.  

Description:    This technology is a new process for fabrication of near-net-shape metal components. It is a combination of oxide non-stoichiometry and additively manufactured oxide precursors to prepare the oxide precursors prior to its subsequent electrochemical reduction. The titanium dioxide precursor was fabricated by mixing the oxide with binders and then sintering the green oxide bodies in a reducing atmosphere for a fixed duration. The sintered oxide body was threaded into a nickel wire, which, in turn, was polarized in a pool of fused calcium chloride against a graphite counter electrode. The carefully conducted reduction step culminated in the formation of a defect free near-net-shape metallic titanium body.

Benefits:          Significant benefits include:

• Reduction of overall production cost
• Reduction of lead time
• Improved product quality
• Variability reduction
• Enhancement of component design functionality

Applications:   Applications include:  

• Metal/Alloy Fabrication
• Equipment Manufacturing

Development Status:  TRL 3. Experiments have been conducted, showing proof-of-concept.

IP Status:        US Patent Application No. 16/841,863, “Fabrication of Near-Net-Shape Metallic Components from Oxides,” BEA Docket No. BA-1052

INL is seeking to license the above intellectual property to a company with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Exclusive rights in defined fields of use may be available.

Please visit Technology Deployment’s website at https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment for more information on working with INL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.

Companies interested in learning more about this licensing opportunity should contact Kala Majeti at td@inl.gov or 248-877-8866.