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Onsite Research
Materials Science
The Materials Science Focus Area specializes in life cycle research starting
with the formulation, characterization, and melting of most metals, alloys,
and ceramics; casting and fabrication; prototype development; and the recycling
and remediation of waste streams associated with these processes. Advanced
materials and processes are vital to higher performance and more economic
fossil energy systems such as the FutureGen
prototype
power plant and other 21st century power and fuels production plants.
This focus area addresses the need for new materials that can withstand
higher temperatures and corrosive environments of advanced power generation
technologies such as coal gasifiers, turbines, combustors, and fuel cells.
The two materials research groups: Materials
Performance and Process
Development, combine the talents of NETL scientists, technicians,
craftspeople, and experienced support personnel to make NETL a complete
development and processing facility. From microstructure to pilot-scale
processes, NETL works with industry, academia, and other government agencies
on research to resolve a wide range of materials issues.
Materials performance research ranges from defining and understanding the
basic mechanisms of wear and corrosion, and the synergy between them; to
providing input on materials performance and specifications for specific
operating environments; to developing methodologies for real-time materials
performance monitoring in the field.
Researchers specialize in the understanding and assessment of materials
performance issues, including:
- materials selection and specifications for high-temperature,
erosive and corrosive environments
- real-time materials performance monitoring
- corrosion and wear mechanisms, and
- lifetime predictions.
Process development research targets the development of processes to:
- efficiently produce prototype parts, castings, and/or plate
or sheet from ferrous, non-ferrous, and refractory alloys;
- formulate and develop alloys for use in high temperature applications;
- recover or recycle valuable materials from wastes;
- improve material production by melting or smelting;
- develop processes for efficient carbon management including the sequester
of greenhouse gas emissions;
- improve efficiencies of high temperature melting or smelting systems;
and
- improve power plant efficiency, and reduce power plant emissions.
The multi-disciplined Materials Science staff includes materials engineers,
metallurgists, ceramists, geologists, chemists, chemical engineers, and mechanical
engineers.
Success Stories
U. S. Army Cooperative Development of Armor
Since 1985, NETL has cooperated with U. S. Army Tank and Automotive Command (TACOM) through an Interagency Agreement to develop cast steel and titanium armor. NETL scientists currently are working with the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) to develop titanium armor applications.
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Medical Alloy Development
At left is a prototype stent made from a newly developed alloy, mounted on a balloon catheter. The background is a sheet of the prototype alloy.
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