30 patents in this list

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Additive manufacturing at elevated temperatures presents significant material challenges, with printed components experiencing thermal gradients that can exceed 200°C during production and subsequent use. Current processes struggle with warping, interlayer delamination, and structural degradation when parts are exposed to sustained high temperatures.

The fundamental challenge lies in developing materials and printing processes that can maintain dimensional stability and mechanical properties across wide temperature ranges while ensuring consistent layer adhesion during fabrication.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including two-powder superalloy mixtures, near-infrared radiation heating techniques, photopolymerizable resins with high thermal stability, and novel metal jetting approaches. These and other approaches focus on practical implementations for producing heat-resistant components that maintain structural integrity under thermal stress.

1. Fused Deposition Modeling Process with Post-Printing Thermal Treatment at Material-Specific Temperatures

SINO TRUK JINAN POWER CO LTD, 2024

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing process that improves the mechanical properties of printed parts. The process involves post-processing the printed part by heating it at specific temperatures. The heating is done after the part is printed but before it cools to room temperature. This post-processing step enhances the mechanical properties of the printed part, particularly in the vertical direction. The specific temperatures for heating depend on the material used.

2. Temperature Regulation System for Layered Powder in 3D Printing with Differential Heating Rates

珠海赛纳三维科技有限公司, ZHUHAI SAINA 3D TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023

Regulating the temperature of a powder layer in 3D printing to improve object quality. The method involves separately controlling the temperature of the base powder layer and the molding powder layer. The temperature rise rate of the isolation powder layer in the base layer is made greater than the molding powder layer. This allows the base layer to quickly reach the target temperature. During printing, the molding layer heating rate is slower to prevent temperature overshoot. This ensures the base layer is ready while the printing layer is at the right temperature.

3. 3D Printer with Dual-Mode Platform Alignment and Removable Guide Mechanism

Zydex Pty Ltd, 2023

A 3D printer to make objects layer by layer from a radiation hardenable material. The printer has a vessel for the material, a platform to form layers, and a guide to align the platform. The platform can switch between fixed and movable orientations. The guide aligns it parallel to the vessel walls in the movable mode. In fixed mode, it forms object layers. This ensures even layer thickness and prevents failed prints. The guide can be removed to switch to the vessel.

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4. Three-Dimensional Printing Method for Nickel-Based Superalloys Using Dual-Powder Mixture with Differential Melting Points

SIEMENS ENERGY, INC., 2023

Improve the performance of 3D-printed nickel-based superalloys for aerospace and other applications by reducing cracking that can occur during printing and heat treatment. The method involves using a two-powder mixture of high-melt superalloy powder and low-melt superalloy powder. The low-melt powder has a lower solidus temperature to reduce cracking, while the high-melt powder provides high-temperature performance. The mixture ratio allows printing without hot isostatic pressing. The low-melt powder fills pores and homogenizes during heat treatment.

US20230295776A1-patent-drawing

5. 3D Metal Printing with Sequential Near-Infrared Radiation Heating for Stress Reduction

Value & Intellectual Properties Management GMBH, 2023

3D metal printing method that uses sequential near-infrared (NIR) radiation heating to reduce stress and cracking when locally melting and fusing metal powder layers. The method involves preheating and post-heating specific areas of each powder layer using NIR radiation before and after selective melting to join layers. This allows localized control of temperatures to minimize thermal stresses.

6. Photopolymerizable Resin Composition with Diurethane Dimethacrylate Derivatives for High-Temperature Stiffness

MAT3d S.r.l., 2023

Photopolymerizable resin composition for additive manufacturing of 3D printed parts with high stiffness at temperatures up to 250°C. The composition contains derivatives of diurethane dimethacrylates and other components that enable the resin to achieve high thermo-mechanical properties. The resin is used to 3D print articles that can maintain stiffness at high temperatures. It is also used in a stereolithography method for making the articles. The printed objects are subjected to post-curing to complete the polymerization and optimize properties.

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7. Nickel-Based Superalloy with Zirconium, Niobium, Yttrium Oxide, Cobalt, and Tungsten for Additive Manufacturing

Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG, 2023

Nickel-based superalloy composition that is crack-resistant and suitable for additive manufacturing of high-temperature components like gas turbine parts using selective laser melting. The alloy contains zirconium, niobium, yttrium oxide, cobalt, and tungsten. The alloy has improved crack resistance during SLM and heat treatment compared to existing alloys, allowing additive manufacturing of gas turbine components.

8. Paramagnetic Stainless Steel Alloy with Heat-Treatable Ferrite-to-Austenite and Sigma Phase Transformation

The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd, 2023

Paramagnetic stainless steel alloy that can be heat treated to achieve a hardness of greater than 500 HV. The alloy composition is 20-40% Cr, 3-20% Ni, 0-15% Mn, 0-5% Al, 3-15% Mo, 0-5% W, 0-2% Cu, 0-5% Si, 0-1% Ti, 0-1% Nb, 0-0.1% C, 0-0.5% N, 0-0.5% S, 0-0.1% P, balance Fe and impurities. The steel is first formed and then heat treated to transform the ferrite microstructure into austenite and sigma phase, increasing the hardness. The steel is non-magnetic and has a high hardness for applications like timepiece components.

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9. 3D Printing System with Sub-Threshold Magnetohydrodynamic Pump Coil Pulsing for Temperature Regulation

XEROX CORPORATION, 2023

Metal jetting uses a 3D printer to create a 3D part from liquid metal drops. It involves pulsing the printer's magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pump coil at sub-threshold levels that provide supplemental induction heating to the pump without ejecting drops. This helps maintain consistent drop temperatures during warm-up, standby, and other non-printing modes.

10. Metal 3D Printer with Droplet Ejection for Rapid Support Structure Formation Using Spaced Pillar and Continuous Line Technique

Xerox Corporation, Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, 2023

A metal 3D printer that quickly forms metal support structures that can be easily removed after printing. The printer ejects melted metal drops to form objects. To create supports, it forms a line of spaced pillars, then a single pass ejects a continuous metal line over the pillars. This avoids excessive heat buildup. The pillars can be easily separated from the continuous line later. This enables rapid support formation with adequate strength compared to building walls and joining pillars incrementally.

11. Toolpath Generation with Heat Accumulation Mitigation for 3D Printing

Siemens Industry Software Inc., 2023

Heat-aware toolpath generation for 3D printing of physical objects. The toolpath is generated with criteria that optimize the path to minimize heat accumulation and deformation during the print. The toolpath design accounts for factors like the amount of heat generated in a zone, the proximity to previously printed zones, and the time between printing zones to strategically plan the order and placement of printed paths. This reduces heat-related deformations and improves the quality of printed objects.

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12. High-Temperature Component with Differential Surface Finish in Cooling Passages

MITSUBISHI POWER, LTD., 2023

High-temperature component with improved cooling efficiency for use in applications like gas turbines. The component has multiple cooling passages to flow cooling fluid and an outlet passage to discharge the fluid. The inner wall of the outlet passage is smoothed compared to the other passages. This reduces pressure loss without impacting cooling. Producing the component involves forming the passages by additive manufacturing and machining the outlet passage to reduce roughness compared to the others.

13. Resin Composition with Thermoplastic Resin and Heterocyclic Compound Exhibiting Differential Elastic Modulus Across Glass Transition Temperature

Konica Minolta, Inc., 2023

Resin composition for 3D printing that has improved properties suitable for general purpose 3D printers. The composition contains a thermoplastic resin with a polar group like aromatic polycarbonate and a heterocyclic compound with multiple heteroatoms like a condensed ring compound containing N, O, or S at para positions. The composition exhibits different behavior in elastic strength above and below its glass transition temperature, with increased modulus below Tg and reduced viscoelasticity above Tg. This allows lower temperature 3D printing while still maintaining strength and heat resistance when formed into molded parts. It also reduces gas generation during molding compared to anti-plasticizers.

14. 3D Printing Method with Filament Deposition and Sacrificial Binder Removal for Sintered Ablative Thermal Coating Formation

Rolls-Royce Corporation, 2023

A 3D printing method to produce thermal management components like heat shields that can ablate when exposed to high energy levels. The technique involves using filament deposition and selectively removing a sacrificial binder from the coating, then sintering the remaining powder to form the thermal coating. The coating is designed to ablate when absorbing energy to protect the underlying substrate from heat.

15. 3D Printing Method for High-Chromium Nickel-Based Superalloys Using Low Laser Energy Density

HUNAN VANGUARD GROUP CO LTD, HUNAN YUNJIAN TECH CO LTD, HUNAN YUNJIAN TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023

3D printing method for high-chromium nickel-based superalloys that improves the high-temperature durability of the printed structures. The method involves laser sintering the powder with a low laser energy density during the printing process. This results in a 3D printed structure with both higher room temperature mechanical properties and higher high-temperature mechanical properties compared to conventionally printed parts. The low energy density prevents excessive melting and recoalescence that can degrade the high-temperature performance. The printed parts have room temperature strength and elongation like forgings, and high-temperature strength and durability approaching castings.

CN116689783A-patent-drawing

16. Flame-Retardant Copolyesters with High-Temperature Self-Crosslinking and Anti-Dripping Characteristics

SICHUAN UNIVERSITY, 2023

Flame-retardant copolyesters with high-temperature self-crosslinking, anti-dripping properties, comprising specific polyester monomers. The copolyesters have high flame resistance without using halogenated or phosphorus-based flame retardants. The copolyesters are made via esterification and polycondensation of monomers including 1) aromatic diacid/diester, 2) diol, 3) high-temperature self-crosslinking flame-retardant monomer, and 4) ionic monomer. The resulting copolyesters have high limiting oxygen index, low vertical combustion grade, and resist dripping when burned. The flame resistance comes from the self-crosslinking flame retardant monomer.

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17. Laser-Induced Composite Material Formation with Graphitic Carbon Layering for Thermal Protection Systems

Battelle Memorial Institute, 2023

Composite materials for thermal protection systems that can be rapidly formed and have desirable thermal and mechanical properties for applications like hypersonic aerospace. The composites are formed by selectively heating a precursor material with a laser to induce specific material changes. This involves using a laser to heat a composite precursor material containing pitch or polymer resin and additives. The laser heating forms a subsurface layer of graphitic carbon with a cellular structure, and then a surface layer of graphitic carbon. The resulting composite has high thermal insulation in the thickness direction, high thermal conductivity along the surface, and improved mechanical performance compared to typical refractory composites.

US20230235134A1-patent-drawing

18. Additively Manufactured Microstructured Article with Differential Thermal Expansion Microstructures

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, 2023

Manufacturing by additive manufacturing a microstructured article with tailored expansion/contraction properties upon temperature change. The article has repeating microstructures with two portions that contact each other. The first portion has a property that can restrain or enhance the second portion's matching property. For example, metals with different thermal expansion coefficients. The tailored contact causes the article to expand, contract, or remain unchanged when heated. Applications include adjustable flow control valves, prosthetics, casts, and aircraft tabs.

19. 3D Printable Resin Compositions with Isocyanurate Polyacrylate and Curable Monomer for Enhanced Heat Resistance

3D SYSTEMS, INC., 2023

3D printable liquid resin compositions for high performance 3D printing with good heat resistance. The resin compositions contain high levels of isocyanurate polyacrylate for high heat deflection temperatures. It also includes a curable monomer to prevent crystallization during storage. The composition is cured using light to form 3D printed objects with high heat resistance.

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20. Turbomachinery Component with Differential Cooling Passage and Outlet Configuration

Mitsubishi Power, Ltd., 2023

High temperature component for turbomachinery like gas turbines that avoids overcooling while preventing inadequate cooling. The component has multiple cooling passages connected to a header, with fewer outlet passages than cooling passages. The outlet passages have smaller cross-sectional areas than the cooling passages. This configuration allows precise control of cooling flow rates even if passage dimensions are imprecise due to manufacturing constraints. Machining the outlet passages further refines the flow control.

21. Superalloy Powder Mixture with Differential Melt Point for Additive Manufacturing

22. 3D Printing Thermoset Material Comprising Epoxy Resin Blend with Elastomer Modification and Amine-Based Curing Agents

23. Nickel-Based Superalloy with Controlled Elemental Composition for Crack-Free Selective Laser Melting

24. 3D Printable Composite with Furan Polymer Matrix and Cellulose Reinforcement

25. Manufacturing Method for 3D-Shaped Ceramics Using 3D Printing and Electron Beam Curing

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The patents that are displayed here demonstrate a range of innovative methods for making 3D printed products highly heat resistant. These improvements cover everything from new printer designs and specific materials to stress and crack management strategies for printing.