Super-strength spacecraft alloy leaves the lab after MTC and Sandwell project

A super-strength alloy could help build resilient spacecraft, wind turbines and racing cars after a team successfully developed a lab technique for commercial production.

Scientists and engineers at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry and Towcester-based Sandwell UK, a leading surface engineering and metal coating company, developed the ultra-resilient alloy using the latest shot-peening techniques.

During shot peening, operators fire shot particles at metal to produce beneficial stress layers that strengthen its mechanical properties.

The engineers used the latest techniques to develop a process that results in a highly-resilient nano-structured surface on a nickel alloy, suitable for the most high-fatigue environments. Research funded by Innovate UK is continuing, but potential applications include spacecraft, satellites, other aerospace uses, Formula One cars and highly-loaded wind-turbine components.

The new commercial production process could also benefit Sandwell’s oil and gas clients, the team said. Another result of the nano-structure surface is anti-bacterial properties, making it suitable for medical applications and implant parts.

The process is a significant step forwards in understanding nano-structure transformations in metals and alloys, said MTC technology director Ken Young.

“It is a delight to work with a world-leading firm where our expertise can help them take their process knowledge to not only help existing clients, but also open up new market opportunities,” he said. “Companies such as Sandwell show the future potential for British manufacturing to lead the world.”