NASA Grants Licenses for Advanced 3D-Printable Superalloy to American Firms
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 10, 2024
NASA has entered a new phase of economic impact by licensing an advanced superalloy, named GRX-810, to four US companies. This move leverages NASA’s research and development investments funded by taxpayers.
GRX-810, a superalloy designed for the demanding conditions of aerospace environments, promises enhanced durability and strength for parts used in airplanes and spacecraft, potentially extending their operational lifespan.
The licenses, granted on a co-exclusive basis, enable the recipient companies to manufacture and distribute GRX-810 across the aviation and space industries. These firms include:
+ Carpenter Technology Corporation of Reading, Pennsylvania
+ Elementum 3D, Inc. of Erie, Colorado
+ Linde Advanced Material Technologies, Inc. of Indianapolis
+ Powder Alloy Corporation of Loveland, Ohio
NASA’s Technology Transfer Program, which oversees this initiative, continues to identify, patent, and facilitate the commercialization of technologies developed within the agency.
“NASA invests tax dollars into research that demonstrates direct benefit to the US and transfers its technologies to industry by licensing its patents,” said Amy Hiltabidel, licensing manager at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.
Revolutionizing Aerospace Material Science
GRX-810 was engineered specifically for aerospace applications, such as components of liquid rocket engines, able to withstand temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
“GRX-810 represents a new alloy design space and manufacturing technique that was impossible a few years ago,” said Dr. Tim Smith, materials researcher at NASA Glenn.
This alloy is a product of collaborative innovation by Dr. Smith and Christopher Kantzos at NASA Glenn, employing advanced computer models and laser 3D printing to create a robust material interspersed with oxygen-enhanced particles for added strength.
Advantages Over Existing Alloys
GRX-810 offers superior performance compared to traditional nickel-base alloys, capable of handling greater temperatures and stress while enduring significantly longer and resisting oxidation more effectively.
“Adoption of this alloy will lead to more sustainable aviation and space exploration,” said Dale Hopkins, deputy project manager of NASA’s Transformational Tools and Technologies project. “This is because jet engine and rocket components made from GRX-810 will lower operating costs by lasting longer and improving overall fuel efficiency.”
The development team includes NASA’s Ames Research Center in California, The Ohio State University, and the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, with recent tests focusing on 3D-printed rocket engine components.
Through licensing and other strategies, NASA has contributed over 2,000 technologies to the commercial sector, bolstering the US economy and fostering technological advancement.
Related Links
Technology Transfer Program
Space Technology News – Applications and Research
