Copper Based Casting Technology Applications (CBCT-A)

Breakthroughs in castings that improve solidification integrity of copper-base alloys have recently provided a number of opportunities in defense manufacturing technology not previously available. Coupling these casting technology advances with other emerging technological advances such as cold spray and pump system efficiency improvements, could significantly improve service life and life cycle costs of many thousands of electric motor/pump combinations currently being used in the war on terror.

Using Copper Based Casting Technology Applications (CBCT-A) with pump systems equals longer-lasting, more efficient pumps which are important to legacy weapon systems and in-theatre ground support systems/facilities. By leveraging prior Department of Defense (DoD) funded efforts in copper motors and materials development and the expertise of Army Research Lab (ARL), this program will improve variable speed electric induction motor efficiency and service life, and upgrade the quality and robustness of fluid handling components and systems, which will be applied and demonstrated in pump systems. This program will offer DoD an opportunity to test and evaluate the combined applications.

The CBCT-A program held its kick-off meeting on October 7, 2009. This web site will report on and summarize progress for this multi-year contract.

The information reported on this website was developed in connection with contract/instrument W911QX-08-D-0008 with the Army Research Laboratory. The views and conclusions contained in this web site are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as presenting the official policies or position, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory or the U.S. Government unless so designated by other authorized documents. Citation of the manufacturer's or trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use thereof. The U.S. Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Government purposes notwithstanding and copyright notation thereon.