(519f) 3D Printing of SiC Rocket Nozzles Using Vibration Assisted Printing

The study and use of the space domain, including the recent reinvigoration of manned space exploration to the moon and beyond, drives the search for higher performance materials for high temperature spacecraft components such as thermal protection systems (TPS) and rocket nozzles. Ceramics and high-performance carbon both exhibit material properties that are suitable for TPS applications, but their performance can be maximized using additive manufacturing (AM) methods. Vibration Assisted Printing (VAP) is a newly developed AM system that can process extremely viscous mixtures, such as those consisting of ceramic forming polymers with solid ceramic particles, to yield net-shape parts with minimized porosity. This work explores the formulation development and the AM of ceramic structures utilizing VAP. A highly viscous mixture was prepared from a polycarbosilane polymer and pure SiC powder, which could be 3D printed using VAP. SiC components were cured up to 248.8°C and pyrolyzed at up to 1,600°C and were characterized via SEM, EDS, XRD.