Technology Tech Breakthrough Neutral

Huazhong University of Science and Technology Develops Low-Cost Heat-Resistant Near-Eutectic Aluminum Alloy Al-La-Fe-Ti-Zr

2026-05-12

A joint research team at Huazhong University of Science and Technology has developed an additive-manufactured near-eutectic Al-10La-1Fe-0.4Zr-0.2Ti alloy designed for long-term service at 250–400°C. By pairing La and Fe to reduce diffusion coefficient mismatch and suppress coarsening, and substituting Sc with low-cost microalloying elements Zr/Ti to form Al₃(Zr,Ti) nanoparticles that refine grains and stabilize the metastable Al₆Fe phase, the as-deposited microstructure features fine α-Al grains with a continuous eutectic network of Al₁₁La₃ and Al₆Fe phases. The alloy achieves a room-temperature yield strength of 331±7 MPa and a 400°C yield strength of 73±5 MPa, outperforming most additive-manufactured Al-Ce/Ni systems, offering a low-cost, sustainable design pathway for replacing titanium with aluminum in heat-resistant applications.

📰 News Source

This article was translated from a Chinese source.

Source URL not available

Show Chinese original

华中科大开发低成本耐热近共晶铝合金Al-La-Fe-Ti-Zr

华中科技大学联合研究团队开发出一种增材制造近共晶Al-10La-1Fe-0.4Zr-0.2Ti合金，用于250–400°C长期服役场景。通过La和Fe配对降低扩散系数不匹配，抑制粗化；以Zr/Ti替代Sc作为低成本微合金化元素，形成Al₃(Zr,Ti)纳米颗粒细化晶粒并稳定亚稳Al₆Fe相。沉积态组织为细小α-Al晶粒加连续Al₁₁La₃和Al₆Fe相共晶网络，室温屈服强度331±7 MPa，400°C屈服强度73±5 MPa，优于大多数增材制造Al-Ce/Ni体系，为耐热铝合金的“以铝代钛”提供了低成本、可持续发展的设计路径。

Related News

Titomic Secures U.S. Defense Component Order from EOS Defense Systems, Delivered Within One Week

Titomic's U.S. subsidiary has received an order from EOS Defense Systems USA to supply critical components for its U.S. defense production program, with delivery completed within one week. The order value was not disclosed. The order involves the rapid re-manufacturing of critical components using cold spray additive manufacturing. Cold spray is a solid-state deposition process used to fabricate and repair metal parts without melting the material. Rapid re-manufacturing and short-lead-time delivery of defense spare parts are typical applications of cold spray technology. This order validates the practical value of cold spray in the defense supply chain. Value for powder buyers: ① Demand for metal powders used in cold spray (aluminum, copper, titanium and their alloys) is linked to the defense repair market—relevant grades and particle sizes should be monitored. ② Domestic cold spray equipment and powder suppliers may find opportunities in the military repair sector. ③ As the order value was not disclosed, ongoing monitoring is needed to determine whether sustained orders will follow, which would clarify the scale of powder demand.

2026-08-12

TRUMPF Acquires Cutlite Penta to Expand Laser Tube Cutting Product Line

TRUMPF has announced the acquisition of Italian laser cutting equipment manufacturer Cutlite Penta to expand its laser tube cutting product line. The acquisition amount was not disclosed. Cutlite Penta specializes in customized large-format, high-power laser cutting and ultra-long tube cutting equipment, with 34 years of industry experience. The company will retain its independent brand, manufacturing, and sales operations after the acquisition. TRUMPF, a manufacturer of lasers and laser processing equipment, also supplies lasers for metal additive manufacturing systems. The acquisition will broaden TRUMPF's product coverage in the laser processing market. As a core supplier of lasers for metal AM equipment, the company's expanded scale is expected to enhance supply stability and cost control of laser sources. Value for powder buyers: (1) Laser costs account for a significant portion of metal AM equipment expenses, and changes in the upstream supply landscape indirectly affect equipment pricing, which in turn impacts printing service costs. (2) The direct impact on the powder side is limited, making this primarily a supply chain dynamic. (3) It is worth monitoring TRUMPF's future investment in its additive manufacturing business line, as laser technology iterations could drive improvements in equipment process capabilities.

2026-08-12

America Makes Announces 2026 Ambassadors and Outstanding Collaboration Award

America Makes has announced its nine ambassadors for 2026 and awarded the 2026 Outstanding Collaboration Award to Brett Conner, Chief Manufacturing Officer of SME. The organization also elected a new executive committee during the same period. The nine ambassadors, drawn from government, industry, and academia, represent sectors including defense, aerospace, energy, and equipment research, and will contribute to the promotion of additive manufacturing technologies and industry collaboration. America Makes is the U.S. national innovation institute for additive manufacturing, headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio. America Makes' membership and ambassador network serve as a key channel for U.S. additive manufacturing policy, standards, and program funding. Its annual project selections reflect the direction of U.S. industry resource investment. Value for powder buyers: ① Monitor America Makes' annual projects and challenge themes (e.g., collaborations with the U.S. Department of Defense's OIB), as these directions often drive demand for specific materials and processes. ② Companies doing business in the U.S. can leverage the ambassador network to gain insight into technology promotion priorities. ③ Evolutions in the U.S. standards system may impact powder certification requirements for exported products, so ongoing tracking is essential.

2026-08-12

📡 Get Daily Industry Updates

Follow on X Join Telegram

View all news