Coated 3D printed components produced by Horizon Microtechnologies have efficiently handed outgassing testing in accordance with the ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C customary for screening of house supplies.
This customary is a key requirement for supplies and components utilized in house. Horizon Microtechnologies believes the event is ‘a major step’ in validating its proprietary metallisation course of for precision- and micro-additive manufacturing (AM) polymer components.
The Horizon Microtechnologies method – combining precision 3D printing with superior coating and metallisation applied sciences – permits the creation of extremely purposeful microscale elements, similar to next-generation antenna constructions in RF and microwave functions. This course of has come by outgassing assessments which evaluated the coated plastic micro-AM components underneath thermal vacuum situations. Outgassing poses a extreme threat in house functions as a result of the impact is extra pronounced and probably extra dangerous as a result of vacuum surroundings. It might probably result in contamination of delicate devices and degrade materials efficiency, particularly coating adhesion.
The specimens have been uncovered to 125°C, in keeping with the testing customary, in a vacuum vary of 10⁻⁶–10⁻⁷ mbar for twenty-four hours. Elements have been weighed instantly earlier than and after the method, in addition to 24 hours later, to find out the quantity of unstable content material launched and reabsorbed by the components.
Testing additionally thought-about the quantity of fabric that condensed or in any other case collected on a take a look at plate held at 25°C and positioned near the samples, with a view to see whether or not the examined supplies might result in contamination of neighbouring elements. That is quantified as Whole Mass Loss (TML), Recovered Mass Loss (RML), and Collected Unstable Condensable Materials (CVCM), respectively. The outcomes have been stated to point out that TML was 0.354%, RML was 0.166% and CVCM was 0.000% – all inside the acceptance limits outlined by ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C for supplies supposed for spacecraft (RML
“This result’s important for Horizon as additional validation that our mixture of 3D printed materials and coating delivers the extent of reliability and materials stability wanted for functions the place failure shouldn’t be an possibility,” says Andreas Frölich, CEO of Horizon Microtechnologies. “Traditionally, coatings on 3D-printed components have been considered with scepticism because of challenges similar to outgassing, delamination, and floor fragility. With this take a look at, we’ve demonstrated that these obstacles might be overcome.
“This milestone is a part of our broader technique to validate our know-how throughout all related stress domains, thermal, mechanical, and environmental. We’re constructing a observe document of success that we imagine will basically shift how engineers take into consideration coating applied sciences for polymer AM components.”
Having come by outgassing testing efficiently, Horizon will now proceed its qualification programme with vibration, atomic oxygen, and radiation assessments.
