
University of Sheffield’s STAR group has converted Al alloy powders from atomization to sheet material in two solid-state steps for use in aerospace. (Courtesy STAR Group)
The University of Sheffield, United Kingdom, STAR (Sheffield Titanium Alloy Research) group and partner ECKART GmbH, Schluechtern, Germany, are convert oversize metal additive manufacturing (AM) aluminum alloy powders into sheet material for use in aerospace applications. The collaboration combines field assisted sintering technology (FAST) with hot rolling to convert coarse aluminum alloy powders from atomization into sheet material in two solid-state steps.