NASA Glenn Research Center’s new material, GRX-810, has been recognized as the Commercial Invention of the Year by NASA’s Inventions and Contributions Board.
GRX-810 is a three-dimensionally (3D) printable oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) superalloy engineered to withstand some of the harshest conditions in aerospace. It is reported that the new GRX-810 can endure temperatures above 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and can survive more than 1,000 times longer than conventional alloys, making it suited for use in aerospace parts that will undergo high temperatures such as aircraft engines. In addition to strength and heat resistance, GRX-810 offers greater malleability, enabling more efficient additive manufacturing.
According to NASA, the primary metals in the GRX-810 alloy include “nickel, cobalt, and chromium.” NASA explains that “[a] ceramic oxide coating on the powdered metal particles increases its heat resistance and improves performance.”
To speed commercialization, NASA has granted co-exclusive licenses to four U.S. companies to produce and market GRX-810: Carpenter Technology Corporation, Elementum 3D, Linde Advanced Material Technologies, and Powder Alloy Corporation. These firms have successfully replicated NASA’s patented process and are now producing coated GRX-810 materials for aerospace use.
Dale Hopkins, deputy project manager of NASA’s Transformational Tools and Technologies project described that “[a]doption of this alloy will lead to more sustainable aviation and space exploration. This is because jet engine and rocket components made from GRX-810 will lower operating costs by lasting longer and improving overall fuel efficiency.”
A press release regarding the breakthrough superalloy GRX-810 is available here.
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