Metal and carbon fiber 3D printing specialist Markforged has developed versions of its fiber reinforced 3D printing material to make it suitable for aerospace.
Onyx FR-A and Carbon Fiber FR-A are undergoing a qualification program conducted on the company’s X7 industrial 3D printer by the National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP), Markforged said. When completed, this could be the first continuous fiber-reinforced additive manufacturing (AM) process qualified by NCAMP, while both the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) currently accept composite specification and design values developed using the NCAMP process, according to the company. Onyx FR-A and Carbon Fiber FR-A materials are also designed to meet flame, smoke, and toxicity (FST) requirements for many parts in aircraft interiors and come with traceability.
‘Markforged believes in a future that is more than metal,’ said Markforged CEO Shai Terem. ‘We have long supported the aerospace industry and have parts in-flight today. There is a multi-decade trend underway to transition parts from metals to advanced composites, which are lighter and offer greater efficiencies.’
This story uses material from Markforged, with editorial changes made by Materials Today.
