Quick Summary
• Researchers at the US Department of Energy‘s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed DuAlumin-3D, a 3D printable aluminum alloy engineered to survive temperatures far beyond the reach of conventional aluminum. Designed for high-performance automotive and aerospace components, the alloy went from concept to full-scale prototype automotive pistons in under three…
Additional Context
Researchers at the US Department of Energy‘s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed DuAlumin-3D, a 3D printable aluminum alloy engineered to survive temperatures far beyond the reach of conventional aluminum. Designed for high-performance automotive and aerospace components, the alloy went from concept to full-scale prototype automotive pistons in under three years, a process that has historically taken one to two decades, and has earned an R&D 100 Award.
Heat-resistant aluminum alloy for energy-efficient transportation. Photo via ORNL.
The material addresses a long-standing trade-off in engineering for harsh environments such as jet and car engines. Standard aluminum alloys are light and inexpensive but fail at elevated temperatures,