Mechanical components from highly recoverable, low apparent modulus materials

US9169545B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Santo Padula · Medina, US
• Ronald D. Noebe · Medina, US
• Malcolm K. Stanford · Cleveland, US
• Christopher DellaCorte · Medina, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 30, 2010
• Grant date: Oct 27, 2015
• Expiry date: Feb 14, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C21D2201/01
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A material for use as a mechanical component is formed of a superelastic intermetallic material having a low apparent modulus and a high hardness. The superelastic intermetallic material is conditioned to be dimensionally stable, devoid of any shape memory effect and have a stable superelastic response without irrecoverable deformation while exhibiting strains of at least 3%. The method of conditioning the superelastic intermetallic material is described. Another embodiment relates to lightweight materials known as ordered intermetallics that perform well in sliding wear applications using conventional liquid lubricants and are therefore suitable for resilient, high performance mechanical components such as gears and bearings.