An Austrian company, Lithoz, which specialises in ceramic 3D printing, is now focusing on the manufacturing of aluminium nitride (AlN) heat exchangers for hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for aircraft. This project forms a part of the TRIATHLON project that mainly aims to produce low-emission and less maintenance power trains to ensure a sustainable future and decarbonisation of aviation. Lithoz company was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Vienna. Lithoz has been a core supplier of ceramic 3D printers and parts across aerospace, medical, and industrial growing markets.
Image Source: Lithoz
Ergon Research manufactured a heat exchanger using a thermodynamically driven control system, while Lithoz produced it with the CeraFab 3D printers. It uses mostly printers using ceramic 3D printing technology. These ceramic parts eliminate the requirement of energy-intensive cryogenic hydrogen pumps. Aluminium nitride possesses a thermal conductivity of 211 watts per metre kelvin with a flexible expansion coefficient. This helps in the formation of compact and lightweight architectural parts for the electrified aviation system. This would not only reduce the overall maintenance cost but also would be cost-effective in the long run.
Lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM) printed materials, such as the use of aluminium nitride, help to enhance the overall performance by increasing the mechanical resistance, making it effective for high-stress applications. The Lithoz process helps in the manufacturing of parts that remain stable below 600°C, ensuring maximum heat exchange with minimal space and expenses. The lightweight parts with high heat resistance are considered essential for effective heat management within the hydrogen-electric propulsion.
“This is a breakthrough application of our ceramic 3D printing technology in a completely new field,” said Dr. Johannes Homa, CEO of Lithoz. “Aerospace and sustainability are key growth areas for Lithoz, so achieving serial production with aluminium nitride is a significant milestone for these sectors. This material opens up design and application possibilities that no one else can currently realise, making a decisive contribution to a greener future in aviation through ceramic AM.”
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