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3D Printing is Creating the Future of Space

Aerospace researchers are bringing us closer to printing everything from tools to parts that can withstand the harsh conditions of space.

Published on
February 8th, 2019

Additive manufacturing (also known as AM, or 3D printing) presents tantalizing possibilities for use in space. Engineers hope to one day use the process to print
parts, tools and other materials that the aerospace industry has historically relied upon machining and molding to manufacture.

These traditional manufacturing methods require material to be carved or shaped until it resembles the desired product such as a bolt or nut, which can make the
creation of certain items difficult or even impossible. In contrast, 3D printing allows parts to be manufactured by adding material in minuscule layers that build up to
create a desired shape. This process involves the use of a computer and CAD software, which enable a specialized printer to “print” a specific shape or part.

A technician clears leftover AM material from printing area.

The durability of these parts depends on the type of material used to print them. An ever-increasing range of plastics, polymers, ceramics, and metals are now
available. The Aerospace Corporation is currently targeting two classes of material for use in space: Inconel and Ultem. Aerospace researchers are exploring the
microstructures of these materials in an effort to engineer new materials that are optimized for space applications, which require increased resilience and resistance to
extreme temperatures.

The Inconel family of nickel alloys is currently used in a wide range of industries and applications around the world. Aerospace scientists have recently focused their
attention on Inconel 718, a heat-treatable nickel-chromium-iron alloy designed to resist a wide range of severely corrosive environments while retaining its high yield
and tensile properties at high temperatures and pressure. Now widely used in space flight systems due to its weldability and cryogenic properties, Inconel 718 retains
its strength over a wide temperature range. It pulls this off by forming a thick, stable oxide layer when heated, which protects its surface during high-temperature
applications where aluminum and steel would deform and fail.

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Julian Lohser (left) finishes some last-minute tasks, while Dr. Glenn Bean (right) prepares to load a spool of AM printing material into a printer.

Ultem is another promising material. As part of a family of amorphous thermoplastic polyetherimide (PEI) resins, Ultem can withstand extreme temperatures while
offering high strength and stiffness properties in addition to broad chemical resistance. Ultem 9085 has exhibited immense potential due to its superior mechanical
performance and strength-to-weight ratio. Ultem 9085’s strength, light weight, and flame-retardant qualities make it an ideal candidate for aerospace and automotive
applications. Aerospace researchers are now exploring the suitability of Ultem 9085 for production-grade components and testing its potential for creating prototypes
and production tools.

Dr. Glenn Bean readies the AM printer.

Aerospace researchers are also working to uncover as-of-yet unknown qualities of these materials and their microstructures in hopes of revealing any potential
failures that could jeopardize their use in space and other endeavors. The hope is that these research efforts will yield materials that can withstand the rigors of
space and lead to the development of manufacturing techniques that provide rapid production of parts that are challenging or otherwise impossible to create. Once
proven and deployed, engineers will to be able to print parts, tools and even entire habitats on the ground or on the fly.

Source URL: https://aerospace.org/article/3d-printing-creating-future-space

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