3D Printed Titanium Breakthrough!

A newly published paper by David Alexander of the University of Texas at El Paso, Doctoral Program in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering details a method for using Filamet™ to create Fuel Cell components using low-cost commercial materials and equipment.

For the many people that are working with our Titanium Products, this paper is 90 pages of pure Materials Science bliss.

The key conclusions that we’re excited about here at The Virtual Foundry look like this:

1. Specimens meet targets for accepted standards for Electrical Conductivity and Corrosion Resistance
2. Results can meet the standard of the 2030 DOE targets.
3. The process shows much promise to advance the development of multi-layer BPP (bipolar plate) Fuel Cell systems by implementing new composite material with in-situ surface treatment possibilities.
4. Titanium can be sintered and maintain wrought mechanical properties.
5. Tunable oxide layer growth is possible using metal composite material and controlled atmospheres.

Summary and Conclusion of the Paper…

6.6 Summarize
In summary, the test specimens have been characterized according to the desirable properties for BPPs. The thermal sintered specimen both meet the target for corrosion resistance while the thermal sintered argon and HIP cube meet the target for electrical conductivity. The thermal sintered N2 produced the best corrosion resistance due to the increase oxide thickness.

7.1 Conclusions
In conclusion, the obtained results for the BPP characterization of the commercial filament can meet the standard of the 2030 DOE targets with the proper thermal process. The AM process has showed much promise to advance the development of BPP systems by implementing a new composite material with in-situ surface treatment possibilities. The key takeaways are:
• Titanium can be sintered and maintain wrought mechanical properties.
• Tunable oxide layer growth is possible using metal composite material and controlled atmospheres.

We encourage you to give the paper a read and reach out to us with questions or observations.

https://scholarworks.utep.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4468&context=open_etd