The Need

Dilatometry is a technique currently used for measuring thermal expansion and dilation in solids and liquids. NETZSCH currently offers a variety of dilatometers. However, this equipment can cost thousands of dollars. There is always room for improvement for a faster, simpler, and less expensive technology to assist scientists who have used dilatometers to fabricate metallic alloys and compress and sinter refractory compounds, glasses, ceramic products, composite materials, and plastics.

The Technology

The Ohio State University researchers, led by Dr. Boian Alexandrov, developed a way to determine phase transformations in metals and alloys. The SSDT Analyzer is a device that investigates phase transformations (DIPT) in metals and alloys while reproducing the actual thermal histories of liquid, solid-liquid and solid-state processing, as well as determining the solid-liquid and solid-state phase transformations (PT) during the actual processing of metals and alloys. The DIPT can determine the solid-liquid and solid-state PT temperatures under a wide range of simulated processing conditions, providing a powerful tool for the development of alloys; consumables and filler metals for a wide range of processing applications; such as welding; surfacing; hardfacing; brazing; soldering; surface melting; casting; etc. It has been successfully applied for measurement of solidification ranges, formation of eutectic phases, and solid state phase transformations in various steels and Ni-base super alloys.

The Market

This device would be appealing to materials producers and processing companies as well as research and educational institutions. It is applicable as a more sensitive and accurate alternative to dilatometry and can also be retrofitted to existing equipment. This technology is simple, fast, and cost effective. There is an opportunity to develop new alloys and welding consumables, and further the study of microstructure-property relationships and material fabricability since single sensor differential thermal analysis (SS-DTA) can measure phase transformations (PT) behavior during weldability testing, post-weld heat treatment, and casting.

• Strong growth is projected for the metal stamping and forging industry. Revenue is forecasted to increase at an average annual rate of 3.8% to $39.8 billion in 2016. (IBISWorld)

• Industry revenue for steel rolling and drawing in the US is expected to reach $11.5 billion by 2017. (IBISWorld)

• Over the next couple years to 2017, rising steel prices and higher output will be the source of 4.2% average annual revenue growth for the iron and steel manufacturing industry in the US, reaching $140.9 billion. (IBISWorld)

Commercial Applications

• Material producers

• Processing companies

• Welding and materials science research

• Educational institutions

Benefits/Advantages

• Reproduces the actual thermal histories of liquid, solid-liquid and solid-state processing for laboratory scale specimens

• Determines the solid-liquid and solid state phase transformation temperatures under a wide range of simulated processing conditions

• Provides a fast and economical tool for alloy development and a competitive alternative to the available simulation equipment

• Powerful tool for the development of alloys, consumables, and filler metals for a wide range of processing applications such as welding, surfacing, hardfacing, brazing, soldering, surface melting, casting, etc.

• Successfully applied for measurement of solidification ranges, formation of eutectic phases, and solid state phase transformations in various steels and Ni-base super alloys

Patent Protection

• United States Patent No. 7,473,028

• United States Patent No. 7,909,505