February 6, 2025
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February 6, 2025
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New high-performance metal 3D printed alloy developed for Space Applications

The research team developed a new high-performance metal 3D printed alloy for space exploration applications
The research team developed a new high-performance metal 3D printed alloy for space exploration applications/Credit: Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS)
Key Takeaways

The research team led by Dr. Jeong Min Park from the Nano Materials Research Division at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), successfully developed a new high-performance metal 3D printed alloy tailored for space applications, in collaboration with Professor Jung Gi Kim of Gyeongsang National University and Professor Hyoung Seop Kim of Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH),.

The newly developed alloy demonstrated exceptional mechanical performance at extreme cryogenic temperatures as low as -196°C, proving its high potential for space exploration and extreme environment applications.

Metal 3D Printed Alloy for Space

The researchers added a small quantity of carbon to the CoCrFeMnNi alloy, which has outstanding cryogenic properties. This alloy powder was then treated utilising the Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technology for metals.

The approach maximises the strengthening impact of carbon addition to the alloy by placing finely dispersed nano-carbides along the borders of the nano-sized cell structure. As a result, the researchers achieved a combination of tensile strength (the capacity to resist forces) and ductility (the ability to withstand deformation before failure) that was more than 140% superior to carbon-free alloys in cryogenic conditions. The alloy exhibits twice the elongation at 77 K compared to 298 K.

This method could also serve as a guideline for alloying design in additive manufacturing, resulting in high-performance products with exceptional load-bearing capability for cryogenic applications. Another major feature of this technique is its capacity to fine-tune microstructures via additive manufacturing.

This method is applicable to complex components such as injectors that spray fuel in space exploration rockets and turbine nozzles that collect energy. It improves the performance and longevity of components used in space and other severe environments. Furthermore, it addresses the constraints of low-temperature toughness in conventional 3D printed alloys.

“This research presents a significant breakthrough in developing new alloys for extreme environments, offering new possibilities. Through 3D printing technology that surpasses the manufacturing limits of conventional space exploration components, we can significantly improve the performance of parts used in space launch vehicles.”

– Dr. Jeong Min Park, the Senior Researcher and Project Leader, Korea Institute of Materials Science

This study was supported by the KIMS basic project (“Development of Design for Additive Manufacturing to Develop Superhard Heterogeneous Materials with Complex Design” and “Development of High Performance Materials and Processes for Metal 3D Printing”. The research findings were published in the high-ranking SCIE journal “Additive Manufacturing (IF: 11)”. The study team intends to conduct future studies to improve this technology’s commercialisation potential, as well as to validate its performance in severe settings.

About Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS): KIMS is a non-profit research institute supported by the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT. KIMS, Korea’s only institute specialised in complete materials technologies, has contributed to Korean industry through a variety of materials science operations such as R&D, inspection, testing and evaluation, and technical assistance.


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Manufactur3D Team
Manufactur3D Team reports on the latest news, insights and analysis from the Indian and the Global 3D Printing Industry. They share updates from Industry leading companies to Startups and covers their latest developments.
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