Abstract: A workpiece and associated method includes fabricating, employing an additive manufacturing process, a raw workpiece from aluminum alloy that includes silicon; heat-treating the raw workpiece to produce an intermediate workpiece, including subjecting the raw workpiece to a first temperature environment, wherein the first temperature environment agglomerates silicon particles disposed on a surface of the raw workpiece; cleaning the intermediate workpiece without removing the silicon particles agglomerated on the surface thereof; and applying a conversion coating onto the surface of the intermediate workpiece.

Abstract: A method for processing a raw workpiece into a final workpiece is described, wherein the raw workpiece includes a metallic structure including silicon particles dispersed therein. The raw workpiece is fabricated employing an additive manufacturing process, in one embodiment. The method includes heat-treating the raw workpiece to produce an intermediate workpiece, wherein the heat-treating includes subjecting the raw workpiece to a first temperature environment for a time period to produce an intermediate workpiece to form agglomerated silicon particles, wherein the agglomerated silicon particles are disposed on a surface of the raw workpiece. The method further includes removing the agglomerated silicon particles that are disposed on the surface of the intermediate workpiece.

Abstract: A method for plating a metallic material onto a titanium substrate, wherein the titanium substrate includes an outer surface and an oxide layer on the outer surface. The method includes chemically etching the outer surface of the titanium substrate to remove at least a portion of the oxide layer, thereby yielding an etched titanium substrate. The method also includes establishing a cathodic protection current through the etched titanium substrate while the etched titanium substrate is immersed in a cathodic electrolyte solution. The method further includes strike plating a bond promoter layer onto the outer surface of the etched titanium substrate after the establishing of the cathodic protection current. The method lastly includes plating the metallic material onto the bond promoter layer.

Abstract: A blind fastener system including a sleeve and, optionally, a core bolt insertable into the sleeve, wherein at least one of the sleeve and the core bolt includes a lubricious metallic coating containing at least one of tin, bismuth, indium and aluminum.

Abstract: A blind fastener system including a sleeve and, optionally, a core bolt insertable into the sleeve, wherein at least one of the sleeve and the core bolt includes a lubricious metallic coating containing at least one of tin, bismuth, indium and aluminum.

Abstract: Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for containing a flow of fluid discharged from a fracture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer and an insulation sheath coupled to the ballistic containment layer. The insulation sheath includes a first air containment layer, an insulation layer, and a second air containment layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for containing a flow of fluid discharged from a fracture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer and an insulation sheath coupled to the ballistic containment layer. The insulation sheath includes a first air containment layer, an insulation layer, and a second air containment layer.

Abstract: Wear parts having run-out and methods of producing the same, systems and control structures used to produce wear parts having run-out, and associated methods and software are disclosed. Some methods utilize a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition process to produce a coating with a desired coating profile on a wear part.

Abstract: Wear parts having run-out and methods of producing the same, systems and control structures used to produce wear parts having run-out, and associated methods and software are disclosed. Some methods utilize a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition process to produce a coating with a desired coating profile on a wear part.