Metal 3D printing materializes complex designs, making them strong enough to be taken to space
Combustion chambers and nozzles are rocket engine parts that can withstand combustion when 3D printed.Metal printing is favoured by many engineers tasked with making space-based components such as metal parts for
. Because rocket engines need to be able to withstand very high temperatures, an Inconel copper superalloy powder is often chosen. Inconel is a distinctive class of superalloys that are recognised for their corrosion and oxidation resistance. Instead of incorporating plastic into the metal filament, printing for space-based applications is better suited to. To produce dense rocket parts, loose metal powder is laid in layers. Between each layer being placed, a laser is pointed onto the metal powder. The laser traces the precise shape dictated by the digital file, melting and binding the metal in the process. This is repeated for each layer, until the solid metal shape is submerged in the excess metal powder.
Soon, metal 3D printing could take place in space to create tools, instead of sending equipment by rocket. This would lower the time taken to receive replacement parts for repairs as well as the cost of flying them from Earth to the International Space Station . is currently funding research into metal 3D printing in low gravity. Depending on the success of space-based manufacturing, the future could include printing a base on the moon. From digital file to metal part, follow the steps of the metal printing process in the following interactive image.
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