In-Situ Selective Reinforcement of Near-Net-Shape Formed Structures

NASA’s Langley Research Center has developed a method in which a metal matrix composite (MMC) material is incorporated into a metallic structure during a one-step near-net-shape structural forming process. In this in-situ selective reinforcement process, the MMC is pre-placed on the forming tool in locations that correspond to specific regions in the structure. The near-net-shape structural forming process is then executed and results in a metallic structural component with selectively reinforced regions that provide enhanced mechanical properties at key locations.