Boeing

Photopolymer Additive Manufacturing UV Stability

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is revolutionizing the way Boeing fabricates aerospace components by enabling increasingly complex part designs. The Photopolymer 3D printing process has many advantages including the ability to print small complex parts with excellent surface finish. Historically the use of photopolymers in aerospace production have been limited by poor elevated temperature mechanical properties, flammability, and susceptibility to ultraviolet (UV) degradation. Recent advances in photopolymer materials have improved temperature resistance and flammability, but the material remain susceptible to degradation when exposed to UV light. Aerospace parts may be exposed to UV light during manufacturing, storage, and while in-service, so understanding the material degradation and ensuring adequate protection is crucial. This student team worked to focus on evaluating coating technologies to shield photopolymer parts from UV light and studying the UV degradation of AM Photopolymers. This student team also worked to gain experience applying their classroom knowledge to a real-world problem with no predetermined “right answer.” Through collaboration on a cross-functional team, this student team attempted to execute this ambitious project and gain insights on what it is like to work at a company like Boeing.