TAILORED MATERIAL PROPERTIES USING INFRARED RADIATION AND INFRARED ABSORBENT COATINGS

A method of manufacturing a structural component having tailored material properties by applying an IR-absorbent coating to a substrate formed of a ferrous-based, aluminum-based, magnesium-based, or fiber reinforced composite material is provided. The coating is preferably formed of iron oxide (Fe3O4) decorated multiwall carbon nanotubes. Alternatively, the coating is wax-based or polymer-based and includes TriSilanollsooctylt POSS and additives. Different coating compositions may be applied to different zones of the substrate so that the emissivity coefficient varies along the substrate. The coated substrate is heated and formed between a pair of dies to achieve a complex shape or features. The IR-absorbent coating increases the infrared absorption rate during the heating step, which improves formability of the substrate. The iron oxide (Fe3O4) decorated multiwall carbon nanotubes can also be applied to an engine component to increase the thermal efficiency of the engine by reducing friction and enabling the use of light weight materials.