Velo3D qualifies copper alloy for its Sapphire AM machines

May 9, 2022

A cross-sectioned thrust chamber built on a Velo3D Sapphire system in GRCop-42 copper alloy. The chamber walls contain internal channels for regenerative cooling (Courtesy Velo3D)
A cross-sectioned thrust chamber built on a Velo3D Sapphire system in GRCop-42 copper alloy. The chamber walls contain internal channels for regenerative cooling (Courtesy Velo3D)

Velo3D, Campbell, California, USA, has qualified the copper-chromium-niobium alloy GRCop-42 for use in its Sapphire family of Additive Manufacturing machines. Developed by NASA to manufacture parts in need of high-strength and high-conductivity, Velo3D customers can now use the GRCop-42 alloy to produce mission-critical parts with oxidation resistance and high creep strength at temperatures as high as 760°C.

“Our end-to-end solutions have seen extensive adoption in aerospace because of their ability to deliver part consolidation, lighter-weight systems, and unique geometries, and adding GRCop-42 to our growing list of available materials enables us to support more use cases across the aerospace industry,” stated Benny Buller, Velo3D CEO and founder.

“We’ve had extensive demand for Sapphires and Sapphire XCs that can print GRCop-42 and we’ve tested it to ensure it can achieve the same high-quality builds as our other offered materials. I’m looking forward to seeing how customers unlock new use-cases for additive manufacturing with this amazing alloy,” added Buller.

GRCop-42 was developed by NASA in 1987 for use in harsh environments that are commonly found in rocket engine combustion chambers. The alloy was created after research teams identified ways to make improvements to previously-developed copper alloys. GRCop-42 stood out due to its ability to achieve higher thermal conductivity compared to its predecessor while achieving similar strength properties. In 2017, NASA developed parameters for GRCop-42’s use in Additive Manufacturing at its Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama and Glenn Research Center in Ohio.

Velo3D contract manufacturer Knust Godwin will receive the first Sapphire AM machine utilising GRCop-42. The Texas-based company has three systems currently in place including other alloys, such as Inconel. Knust Godwin’s parent company Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment, which is headquartered in Austria, also has a Velo3D end-to-end solution.

“Our team is always looking for new ways to differentiate our business and because of that we were an early adopter of Additive Manufacturing technology, which has helped us grow our business and better serve our customers,” stated Mike Corliss, Knust Godwin VP of Technology. “Additive Manufacturing allows us to build parts for our customers that could not otherwise be manufactured using conventional, subtractive manufacturing. These new, powerful alloys, like GRCop-42 — that provide added capabilities and benefits for our customers — allow us to expand our addressable use-cases.”

The first GRCop-42 demonstration parts will be on display at Velo3D’s booth at RAPID +TCT, taking place in Detroit, Michigan, USA, May 17–19, 2022.


Discover more about the design and production of additively manufactured rocket propulsion systems in our article:

Advancing rocket propulsion through Additive Manufacturing, novel surface finishing technologies and public-private partnerships

In the latest issue of PM Review…

Download PDF

Extensive Powder Metallurgy industry news coverage, and the following exclusive deep-dive articles and reports:

  • Powder Metallurgy: Discover innovative technologies meeting the demands of vehicle electrification
  • Gevorkyan a.s.: Europe’s fast-growing Powder Metallurgy company achieving success through a diversified customer base
  • Powder Metallurgy in Asia: A status update from the World PM2024 Congress, Yokohama

The latest news from the world of metal powders, delivered to your inbox

Don't miss any new issue of PM Review, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our weekly newsletter.

Sign up

Join our community

Discover our magazine archive…

The free-to-access PM Review magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of Powder Metallurgy from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading PM part manufacturers, metal powder manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

 

Browse the archive

 

Looking for PM production equipment, metal powders, R&D support and more?

Discover suppliers of these and more in our
advertisers’ index and buyer’s guide, available in the back of PM Review magazine.

  • Powders & materials
  • Powder process, classification & analysis
  • PM products
  • Atomisers & powder production technology
  • Compaction presses, tooling & ancillaries
  • Sintering equipment & ancillaries
  • Post-processing
  • Consulting & toll sintering
View online
Share via
Copy link