Giveaway: Win a Free Copy of Metal Additive Manufacturing for Propulsion Applications

One of the areas in which metal additive manufacturing has been showing its true value has undoubtedly been aerospace. Over the past few years we have seen it be used for everything from replacement parts in airplanes to entirely 3D printed rockets. But how can engineers know how exactly metal 3D printing can be used specifically for propulsion systems?

Luckily, there are resources for those interested in using 3D printing for these purposes. Notably, Metal Additive Manufacturing for Propulsion Applications by Paul R. Gradl, Omar R. Mireles, Christopher S. Protz and Chance P. Garcia, all from NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. This book was published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and is a practical guide to not just metal AM, but also a comprehensive look at how these technologies can be applied for applications in aeronautics and space.

Metal 3D printing is increasingly being used for applications in propulsion, as shown in this book (photo credits: NASA)

The book covers a wide range of different topics, giving a start-to-finish look at everything one needs to bring a metal 3D printed part from conception all the way to its use. It starts with an introduction into metal additive manufacturing in order to understand the different processes before moving into the characteristics of metals and metal alloys, thus giving a greater understanding of material choice. Next, it includes an in-depth discussion of design, component performance and characteristics before turning to certification of parts. Finally, it finishes with more information about emerging applications for metal 3D printing. Furthermore, the book is full of diagrams, definitions and more to further understanding for all readers.