AerMet® 100 Alloy for Landing Gear Applications-A Summary of Forging Studies

Forging trials of AerMet® 100 Alloy have been conducted at Carpenter Technology Corporation's R&D laboratory using upset forgings reduced 0%, 2:1 and 3:1 and press forgings that received a 3:1 reduction in cross-sectional area. The effects of forging temperature (899 - 1,260°C) and normalizing (no treatment versus 899°C - 1 h, AC) on ASTM grain size and mechanical properties were evaluated. The data indicate AerMet® 100 Alloy has a wide hot working temperature range and that normalizing can have a beneficial effect.

Production-scale forgings of AerMet® 100 Alloy have been produced and the results are discussed. These forgings include the lower side strut for a B757, the upper strut for the main gear on a B747, the launch bar for the nose gear of the A12 and the piston, shock strut for the main gear of the A12. The results include analyses of heat composition and billet and forging capability tests, and they are compared against the requirements of AMS 6532.