“TECNALIA partners with SENER Aerospace and the European Space Agency when evaluating and applying the capabilities of a new manufacturing route for a satellite optical support”
Desktop Metal magazine has highlighted TECNALIA’s development for SENER to manufacture of silicon carbide optimised by additive manufacture with binder jetting to be used in space
This world-renowned magazine for engineers and manufacturers has been named as one of the top 50 and most recommended in the MIT Technology Review list
The case study published by Desktop Metal mentions TECNALIA as a benchmark for research and technological development. Thanks to its experience, it can transform knowledge into business opportunities for companies and it has been able to collaborate on many occasions with SENER in the space and aeronautical fields.
The knowledge and technological capabilities of the materials for extreme conditions research group involved in the case study cover all the stages of powder metallurgy: from raw materials to the final components, complemented by design, characterisation and failure analysis capability.
A new application for ceramic components
TECNALIA partners with SENER Aerospace and the European Space Agency when evaluating and applying the capabilities of a new manufacturing route for a satellite optical support; thanks to TECNALIA’s knowledge of the application and use of materials for applications in extreme temperatures, wear, abrasion and corrosive environments.
The harsh conditions of space travel require components with high dimensional stability, a compatible coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) with their adjacent components, excellent surface quality and high mechanical properties.
Ceramic materials are suitable for space applications due to their thermomechanical stability, high temperature performance, hardness and light weight. In this case study, technical ceramic silicon carbide (SiC) is used, a material that is in demand in this industry: it can be polished and has advantages such as the ability to stay light, strong and with thermal properties to adapt to extreme temperatures.
