Research Progress of Metal Additive Manufacturing Technology and Application in Space: A Review
Metal additive manufacturing in space is a cutting-edge technology that is designed to meet the needs of space exploration and space station construction. This technology is capable of customizing and repairing key metallic parts in a space microgravity environment, providing the feasibility for lon...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Metals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/14/12/1373 |
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| author | Xunzuo Su Peilei Zhang Yuze Huang |
| author_facet | Xunzuo Su Peilei Zhang Yuze Huang |
| author_sort | Xunzuo Su |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Metal additive manufacturing in space is a cutting-edge technology that is designed to meet the needs of space exploration and space station construction. This technology is capable of customizing and repairing key metallic parts in a space microgravity environment, providing the feasibility for long-term space tasks. It enables astronauts to perform on-site repairs and replace broken parts, significantly reducing the risk of mission failure on the International Space Station or during future deep space missions. Further, this technique opens new possibilities for constructing space bases by directly utilizing the materials from space, thereby reducing reliance on Earth’s resources. However, metal additive manufacturing in space faces challenges due to the unclear underlying mechanisms that lie in (I) the significant differences in the melting behaviors of materials in a space microgravity environment compared to those on Earth; and (II) extreme environmental factors, i.e., radiation and temperature fluctuations, that influence the metal additive manufacturing process and, consequently, the properties of the manufactured materials. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of those mechanisms underlying metal additive manufacturing in space, based on published works. Emphasis is placed on aluminum, titanium, iron, and copper-based metals. Our work may offer valuable guidance for reducing mission costs, improving safety, and enabling the on-demand production of complex components in the harsh environment of space by using metal additive manufacturing. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bbb1d944e2ce45469ea65c3b5bb2e4fa |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2075-4701 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Metals |
| spelling | doaj-art-bbb1d944e2ce45469ea65c3b5bb2e4fa2025-08-20T02:57:16ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012024-12-011412137310.3390/met14121373Research Progress of Metal Additive Manufacturing Technology and Application in Space: A ReviewXunzuo Su0Peilei Zhang1Yuze Huang2School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, ChinaDepartment of Engineering, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UKMetal additive manufacturing in space is a cutting-edge technology that is designed to meet the needs of space exploration and space station construction. This technology is capable of customizing and repairing key metallic parts in a space microgravity environment, providing the feasibility for long-term space tasks. It enables astronauts to perform on-site repairs and replace broken parts, significantly reducing the risk of mission failure on the International Space Station or during future deep space missions. Further, this technique opens new possibilities for constructing space bases by directly utilizing the materials from space, thereby reducing reliance on Earth’s resources. However, metal additive manufacturing in space faces challenges due to the unclear underlying mechanisms that lie in (I) the significant differences in the melting behaviors of materials in a space microgravity environment compared to those on Earth; and (II) extreme environmental factors, i.e., radiation and temperature fluctuations, that influence the metal additive manufacturing process and, consequently, the properties of the manufactured materials. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of those mechanisms underlying metal additive manufacturing in space, based on published works. Emphasis is placed on aluminum, titanium, iron, and copper-based metals. Our work may offer valuable guidance for reducing mission costs, improving safety, and enabling the on-demand production of complex components in the harsh environment of space by using metal additive manufacturing.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/14/12/1373metal additive manufacturingadditive manufacturingspace environmentsmicrogravityradiation in space |
| spellingShingle | Xunzuo Su Peilei Zhang Yuze Huang Research Progress of Metal Additive Manufacturing Technology and Application in Space: A Review Metals metal additive manufacturing additive manufacturing space environments microgravity radiation in space |
| title | Research Progress of Metal Additive Manufacturing Technology and Application in Space: A Review |
| title_full | Research Progress of Metal Additive Manufacturing Technology and Application in Space: A Review |
| title_fullStr | Research Progress of Metal Additive Manufacturing Technology and Application in Space: A Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Research Progress of Metal Additive Manufacturing Technology and Application in Space: A Review |
| title_short | Research Progress of Metal Additive Manufacturing Technology and Application in Space: A Review |
| title_sort | research progress of metal additive manufacturing technology and application in space a review |
| topic | metal additive manufacturing additive manufacturing space environments microgravity radiation in space |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/14/12/1373 |
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