FDM 3D Printing of Rocket Fuel Grains https://ift.tt/2SZcEjR In ‘Small-Scale Static Fire Tests of 3D Printing Hybrid Rocket Fuel Grains Produced from Different Materials,’ authors Mitchell McFarland and Elsa Antunes create a device to evaluate small-scale fuel grains, focusing on material regression rates, as well as comparing them to other hybrid fuels in experiments that are important to the space industry as new rockets and motors are created, using a variety of technologies and new materials. McFarland and Antunes explain that 3D printing has been the ‘most impressive advancement,’ and especially with FDM 3D printing as it offers all the benefits that are attractive to investors and manufacturers, from speed in production to substantial savings on the bottom line.
Typical casting and curing techniques can be more difficult—and despite improvements in such methods—designs are still limited in innovation and must account for post-processing in removing the tooling. Supports are not required for fuel grain fabrication very often, but even if they are, the structures are easily removed due to water-soluble materials. To complete their goal of analyzing regression, the authors performed several small-scale static fire tests with 3D printed materials, including:
Each grain was created 100 mm long and 20 mm in diameter, with a 6 mm diameter combustion port. The team 3D printed a series of ABS grains using a Prusa i3 MK2 FDM 3D printer, with the materials subjected to three-minute burns, tested, and measured.
Some of the settings were modified to avoid any defects that could affect the performance of the materials. The team noted ‘zits’ on the outer surfaces of some prints—describing them as ‘oozing’ in some cases, or ‘stringing’ across the chamber. For future projects and manufacturing of components, such issues would have to be resolved. For this experiment, the researchers emphasized that they were concerned with material selection over port geometry.
ASA had the highest average regression rate, followed by nylon, and then PEETG.
While the world of 3D design and 3D printing is full of wonders that are wide-ranging—and from around the world—the study of materials continues to grow more fascinating. 3D printing and additive manufacturing processes with metal are involving impressively, along with polymers, and many other alternative forms such as concrete, wood, and more. What do you think of this news? Let us know your thoughts! Join the discussion of this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com. [Source / Images: ‘ Small-Scale Static Fire Tests of 3D Printing Hybrid Rocket Fuel Grains Produced from Different Materials’] Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://3dprint.com July 31, 2019 at 11:12PM
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