A research team led by Dr. Jeong Min Park from the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) has developed a new high-performance metal 3D-printed alloy tailored for space environments. By adding a small amount of carbon to CoCrFeMnNi alloy and using Metal Additive Manufacturing technology, the team achieved exceptional mechanical performance at extreme cryogenic temperatures as low as -196°C. This newly developed alloy demonstrated over 140% better tensile strength and ductility in cryogenic conditions compared to carbon-free alloys. The technology allows for fine-controlling microstructure through additive manufacturing, making it suitable for complex components such as injectors and turbine nozzles used in space exploration rockets.
Dr. Jeong Min Park stated that this breakthrough offers new possibilities for developing alloys for extreme environments. The research was funded by KIMS and published in the high rank SCIE journal “Additive Manufacturing.” The team plans to continue studying this technology to enhance its commercialization potential and verify its performance in extreme environments. This development is a significant milestone in creating high-performance products for use in space and other extreme environments, and it overcomes the limitations of low-temperature toughness in existing 3D-printed alloys. Through this innovative technology, the performance and lifespan of parts used in space exploration and other extreme environments can be significantly improved, marking a new era in additive manufacturing for space exploration components.
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