With NASA planning to take the first ‘3-D printer’ into space later this year, and spacecraft manufacturer SpaceX building several crucial engine thruster parts using additive manufacturing, this production method is advancing quickly within the space industry.

As both public and private research expands into the uses of additive manufacturing in space, one of the main objectives will be to find and produce new metal-alloy materials that can withstand the harsh environments outside the Earth’s atmosphere.

Metal Technology Inc (MTI), a company with a long history of manufacturing metal components and parts for space applications, recently announced that it has successfully
3-D printed test coupons out of a metal alloy known as C-103.

This Niobium-based alloy is widely used in aerospace applications because of its high level of heat resistance, light-weight, low-cost and ability to withstand intense vibrations and cryogenic temperatures.

It was actually used decades ago by NASA, within the Apollo command module. MTI’s powdered C-103 could open up doors for the company within the manufacturing chain, mainly in supplying parts for other companies such as Pratt & Whitney, Boeing and NASA.

MTI director (sales and marketing) Steve Smith said: “We decided to pursue additive manufacturing in January 2014, in addition to our current operations. It’s a natural evolution of our work with C-103 to provide customers with quicker delivery and more complex geometries.”

The alloy has a melting point of 4,260 ±90ºF, and a density of 0.320lb/in3, making it ideal for use in space, as well as for components used within super-heated thrusters and rocket engines.