Enabling In-Theater Processes for Indigenous, Recycled, and Reclaimed Material Manufacturing

Abstract : The US Army Research Laboratory has researched the feasibility of performing manufacturing processes on a forward-operating base (FOB) using battlefield scrap, and recycled and indigenous materials as feedstock. Attention was focused on a process known as low-temperature solidification (LTS) ceramic, and flexure and compression testing was accomplished on this material alone, as well as infused aluminum foam. The LTS-infused aluminum foam showed an interesting combination of both strength and strain resistance. In addition, actual char from a tactical garbage to energy refinery deployed to Iraq was added to LTS and tested in compression. It is contemplated that LTS could be infused into additively manufactured structures on a future FOB for Warfighter protection against blast threats.