Experimental Analysis of Thermomechanical Properties of Innovative Heat Treated Metal Matrix Composites Processed by Additive Manufacturing for Space Rocket Applications

In aerospace industry, additive manufacturing (AM) is widely used with innovative materials with high thermal conductivity and high resistance to produce liquid rocket engines. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of heat treatments on properties and microstructure of an innovative metal matrix composite, Cu174PH, and to optimize the process in terms of thermal and mechanical properties. Seven heat treatments were applied to Cu174PH AM specimens, and their influence was evaluated through hardness tests, thermal conductivity measurements, and CT scans. Results show that optimal heat treatments significantly enhance the material’s properties, achieving a thermal conductivity of 78.99 W/mK and a hardness of 197 HV. Specifically, three treatments (age hardening at 500 °C for 10 h, 600 °C for 10 h, and 700 °C for 10 h) were identified as optimal, balancing hardness and conductivity. The findings demonstrate the potential of Cu174PH as a high-performance material for aerospace applications, particularly in liquid rocket engine thrust chambers, offering an alternative to conventional alloys like CuCrZr and Inconel 718.