Additive Manufacturing of Ceramic Materials: a Performance Comparison of Catalysts for Monopropellant Thrusters

Abstract

This paper presents the first results of monopropellant decomposition tests obtained from monolithic ceramic catalysts produced by means of additive layer manufacturing techniques and using ceramic precursors. The purpose is to compare the performance of printed monoliths with traditionally manufactured catalysts as well as different washcoat layers, both with respect to decomposition of highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide. Decomposition tests revealed that the manufacturing process does not influence the transient pressure performance but is noticeable in the transient temperature performance. The influence of the thermal mass is seen when comparing two different washcoat layers. Initial results also indicate that too much active phase has an adverse influence on the transient temperature performance.