Available Technologies

In additive manufacturing, choice of process parameters for a given material and geometry can result in porosities in the build volume, which can result in scrap.

A novel method that prevents detachment of an optical fiber from a metal/alloy tube and allows strain measurement up to higher temperatures, about 800 C has been developed. Standard commercial adhesives typically only survive up to about 400 C.

Estimates based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure for water heaters indicate that the equivalent of 350 billion kWh worth of hot water is discarded annually through drains, and a large portion of this energy is, in fact, recoverable.

Distortion generated during additive manufacturing of metallic components affect the build as well as the baseplate geometries. These distortions are significant enough to disqualify components for functional purposes.

For additive manufacturing of large-scale parts, significant distortion can result from residual stresses during deposition and cooling. This can result in part scraps if the final part geometry is not contained in the additively manufactured preform.

Test facilities to evaluate materials compatibility in hydrogen are abundant for high pressure and low temperature (<100C).

In additive manufacturing large stresses are induced in the build plate and part interface. A result of these stresses are deformations in the build plate and final component.

The incorporation of low embodied carbon building materials in the enclosure is increasing the fuel load for fire, increasing the demand for fire/flame retardants.

Materials produced via additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, can experience significant residual stress, distortion and cracking, negatively impacting the manufacturing process.