In September 2024, Oriental Scandium noticed that APWORKS, a subsidiary of Airbus Group, has developed the latest aluminum-magnesium-scandium (AlMgSc) alloy, which is the "newest member" of the Scalmalloy series. The original material Scalmalloy RP is designed for rapid prototyping and manufacturing and can be processed using the "Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM)" process. The high strength exhibited by Scalmalloy RP in 3D printed parts is almost twice that of traditional aluminum powders, which are typically used in selective laser melting (SLM) processes.
It can be said that the Scalmalloy alloy family has always been the foundation of APWORKS's customized material solutions with excellent fatigue resistance and toughness. The success of Scalmalloy RP in a variety of fields such as aerospace, automotive and robotics has laid a solid foundation for the development of Scalmalloy CX. Scalmalloy CX is designed to inherit the advantages of its predecessors and improve the poor performance of materials in cryogenic environments.
Features and advantages of Scalmalloy CX
Scalmalloy CX is designed to maintain excellent fracture toughness and ductility at temperatures as low as 22K (-251°C), which is very suitable for cryogenic applications with strict requirements on weight and performance. A major feature of the material is that it can withstand extreme stresses without compromising its structural integrity even in extreme cryogenic conditions, which is crucial for applications such as liquid hydrogen storage and pumping, where any material failure can have serious consequences.
Scalmalloy CX maintains good ductility at low temperatures, which means it can withstand dynamic stresses, which is particularly important for hydrogen propulsion systems because these systems experience severe thermal and mechanical loads. At the same time, Scalmalloy CX inherits the low density characteristics of Scalmalloy RP, which is a huge advantage for aerospace applications. Compared with traditional stainless steel, the lightweight characteristics of this material make it an ideal choice for aerospace applications, and every gram of weight reduction can significantly improve performance.
Impact on hydrogen propulsion
Hydrogen propulsion technology is seen as the future direction of the aerospace industry, providing a cleaner and more efficient alternative to traditional fossil fuels. However, the success of hydrogen propulsion systems depends largely on the performance of the materials used. The low density and high strength characteristics of Scalmalloy CX make it an ideal choice for hydrogen propulsion system components. Replacing heavier stainless steel components with it can greatly reduce the overall weight of the system, thereby improving efficiency and range. Especially in the application of liquid hydrogen tanks and pumps, Scalmalloy CX has obvious advantages over traditional materials such as stainless steel. Scalmalloy CX can provide the same reliability at a very low weight, which is very suitable for such applications.
Collaboration with Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
During the development of Scalmalloy CX, APWORKS worked closely with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) to validate the material's performance under cryogenic conditions. KIT's contribution was critical in ensuring that Scalmalloy CX would meet the stringent standards for real-world applications. KIT's research and test results presented at the International Cryogenic Engineering Conference (ICEC) and the International Cryogenic Materials Conference (ICMC) provided valuable guidance for the material's development. This collaboration highlights the importance of industry-university-research collaboration in the development of materials science. Through the expertise of APWORKS and KIT, Scalmalloy CX was extensively tested to confirm its suitability for critical applications.
Compatibility of Scalmalloy CX with 3D Printing Technologies
An important advantage of Scalmalloy CX is its high compatibility with 3D printing technologies. Metal 3D printing technologies enable complex geometries that are difficult to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods. Combining the material properties of Scalmalloy CX with 3D printing technology, engineers can create lighter, stronger and more resilient parts, which is particularly important for the aerospace industry, which pursues extreme performance.
Future applications
The release of Scalmalloy CX brings new possibilities to multiple industries. The main application scenarios of the material are concentrated in cryogenic applications in the aerospace field. At the same time, the unique properties of the material make it also have broad application prospects in fields such as space exploration, medical technology and energy storage. As all walks of life continue to pursue lightweight, efficient and sustainable solutions, materials like Scalmalloy CX will become the core driving force of innovation, help further develop clean energy technologies, and reduce the impact of industries such as transportation on the environment.
Hunan Oriental Scandium is a holding subsidiary of LB Group, focusing on the extraction, promotion and application of scandium, and actively developing scandium-containing 3D printing aluminum with users at home and abroad to promote the high-quality development of aerospace, automobile, national defense and military industry and other high-tech industries.
