MALIBU, Calif., Sept. 25, 2017 — HRL Laboratories LLC has received an award as part of NASA's Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration and Infusion Program to develop 3D-printed ceramic rocket engine components.

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Vector rocket. Courtesy of Vector Space Systems.

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HRL achieved a scientific breakthrough with preceramic resins that can be 3D printed and converted to high-temperature ceramic. With NASA support, HRL researchers will further develop this new technology to additively manufacture reinforced ceramic rocket propulsion components. The HRL technique combines the ease, flexibility and low cost of polymer additive manufacturing with the high-temperature capabilities of ceramics. This will enable new designs, lower costs and reduced lead time.

"High-temperature ceramics are notoriously difficult to process with conventional methods," said Tobias Schaedler, the project's program manager. "3D printing could completely change what ceramic parts look like and where they are applied in rocket engines."

HRL will subcontract with Vector, a micro satellite launch company that will investigate innovative rocket engine designs and assess performance improvements to its line of launch vehicles enabled by additive manufacturing. The two-year program will culminate with hot-fire ground testing of rocket engines that contain 3D-printed heat-resistant components at Vector's facility.

HRL Laboratories is a corporate R&D laboratory owned by the Boeing Co. and General Motors that specializes in research into sensors and materials, information and systems sciences, applied electromagnetics and microelectronics.