Production and Testing of Architected Cermets

Project Overview

This project sought to leverage the LLNL-developed capability to produce architected ceramic-metal composites (cermets) to explore the effects of cermet architecture on their properties. In particular, the project wanted to understand the dependence of architected cermets on material and geometric variables in their design. When considering the variable at hand one can vary the ceramic and metal compositions, their relative volume fractions, the geometry of their inner-penetrating lattices, and the scale of the lattices relative to the final tested component. This project leveraged the existing production capabilities already developed at LLNL to focus on the testing of the mechanical behavior of these materials under extreme environments such as high strain rates and/or temperatures. In the past year this feasibility study confirmed that architected ceramic-metal composite can be formed with varying architectures and phase fractions. It also conducted mechanical testing of these materials.

This project utilized several fabrication approaches to form ceramic-metal composite cermets. In these samples we varied volume fraction of a ductile reinforcing phase, aluminum, in a continuous B4C-aluminum matrix. Parts were formed utilizing centrifugal assisted processing (CAP). Samples were tested for mechanical properties utilizing ring-on-ring compressing testing according to ASTM standard C1499-15.

Mission Impact

This project strengthened not only the area of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing but will also enable understanding of the complex behavior of fully dense architected materials. This will have scientific impact outside LLNL and programmatic impact internally. The project also enabled two postdoctoral staff to work on cutting edge work that was not tied to program deliverables. One manuscript is in draft form presently.