Spinoff story
Printed Polymer Makes Integrated Airplane Parts
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, makes it possible to manufacture entirely new structures or integrate existing ones into single components. But for applications like aerospace, high-grade structural materials and extensive testing are required. As part of the America Makes initiative, a public-private partnership to advance research in and applications for additive manufacturing, Goddard Space Flight Center teamed up with private companies on a project to investigate the properties of PEKK, a high-grade polymer, and now Stamford, Connecticut-based Hexcel Corporation is selling the material and 3D printing parts for spacecraft and aircraft.