
The Australian Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group is set to collaborate with industry partners and academia for the development of advanced 3D printing technologies for energetic materials.
Energetic materials include explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics. 3D printing will help enhance the safety and performance of explosives for the country’s defence industry.
Operating as Australia’s leading authority on energetic materials, the company will work in partnership with local firm DefendTex, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, the Flinders University, and Cranfield University in the UK in order to carry out the project.
Australian Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said: “This research could lead to the production of advanced weapons systems, which can be tailored for unique performance and purpose.
“It should also allow broader access and more efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing opportunities to Australian industry providing significant cost savings and competitive advantage for defence, and industries such as mining construction.”
Pyne further said that the additive manufacturing of energetic materials has the capability to significantly enhance their performance, offering logistical and cost benefits in their production.
To date, a total of $2.6m has been invested over two years through the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) programme.
Pyne added: “These outcomes will have far-reaching civilian and defence applications and contribute to the development of critical expertise in energetic manufacturing techniques in Australian industry.”