Sintavia Develops Proprietary Copper Printing Technology

Sintavia has developed proprietary printing technology for GRCop-42, the preferred copper alloy used by NASA and private space flight companies for rocket thrust chamber assemblies. The technology is a combination of a proprietary parameter set and postprocessing heat treatment that could enable a new generation of flight and launch components.

The technology was developed on an EOS GmbH M400-4 printer, and results in GRCop-42 components with a minimum density of 99.94%, minimum tensile strength of 28.3 ksi, minimum ultimate yield strength of 52.7 ksi, and minimum elongation of 32.4%. Importantly, the technology avoids the use of a hot isostatic press in postprocessing steps, thereby reducing the time, complexity and cost of production, the company says.

This technology is said to unlock the potential of printing GRCop-42 both cost-effectively and with excellent mechanical properties. According to the company, GRCop-42 has been a difficult metal for additive manufacturing and this new material parameter and furnacing specification should enable full alloy adoption for AM applications within the aerospace, defense and space industry.

Sintavia is also currently developing proprietary standards for other materials, including refractory alloys, for use across the aerospace, defense and space industry.