Metal Digital Direct Manufacturing (MDDM) for Close-Out of Combustion Chambers and Nozzle Fabrications

This NASA sponsored STTR project will investigate methods for close-out of large, liquid rocket engine, nickel or stainless steel nozzle, coolant channels utilizing robotic laser and pulsed-arc additive manufacturing (AM)methods. Structural jacket to coolant channel land area interface strength will be quantified and metallurgical characterization completed. Process optimizations will be conducted to select best deposition parameters and starting feed stock for the AM processes based on article pressure drop and pressure testing. Sub-scale and intermediate size nozzles will be fabricated using the hybrid Metal Digital Direct Manufacturing (MDDM) processes and delivered to the NASA-MSFC for hot fire testing. Value stream analysis and process cost modeling methods will be used to estimate nozzle should costs and to identify relative economic risk of each nozzle AM operation.

Potential NASA applications include large liquid rocket engine combustion chambers and nozzles. Proposed process will enable elimination of current electrochemical plating methods for close-out of coolant channels in regeneratively cooled components utilized in liquid rocket engines. This technology has the potential to offer significant cost and time reductions for manufacturing of these types of compone4ts.

Potential Non-MASA applications include large liquid rocket engine combustion chambers and nozzles.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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