What metal powder materials are used for 3D printing

Metal 3D printing is a 3D printing technology that uses metal powder to directly print metal parts, also known as metal Powder sintering (SLM). In addition to good plasticity, 3D printed metal powders must also meet the requirements of small particle size, narrow particle size distribution, high sphericity, good fluidity and high bulk density. The metal powders used in most 3D printers include stainless steel, aluminum alloy, cobalt-chromium alloy, copper alloy, titanium alloy and nickel alloy.

The type of metal powder and the 3D printing process used determine the performance of the final product.

Stainless steel powder  

Relatively cheap metal printing materials, cost-effective, good corrosion resistance, high strength, can be quickly and efficiently small batch of complex industrial parts manufacturing.  

Aluminium alloy powder  

At present, aluminum alloys used in metal 3D printing mainly include AlSi12 and AlSi10Mg.  Aluminosilicate 12 is a lightweight additive used to produce metal powders with good thermal properties.  The combination of silicon and magnesium gives aluminum alloys higher strength and stiffness, making them suitable for thin walls and complex geometry, especially in applications with good thermal properties and low weight.  

Cobalt chromium alloy powder  

Due to its excellent wear resistance and corrosion resistance, metal 3D-printed cobalt-chromium alloy powder is commonly used to print all kinds of artificial joints and plastic surgery implants, and is also useful in the field of dentistry.  

Copper alloy powder  

Excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, with good mechanical strength and wear resistance, etc., is the preferred material for heat exchange parts.  Print complex internal structure and conformal cooling channels.  

Titanium alloy powder  

It is widely used in the aerospace field. The advantages of 3D printing can help optimize product design, such as replacing the original solid body with a complex and reasonable structure, so that the finished product has lower weight and better mechanical properties.  This can not only reduce the cost, but also realize the lightweight production of each component.  

High nickel alloys powder  

The characteristics of oxidation and corrosion resistance of nickel alloy make it suitable for the harsh environment of high temperature and high pressure. When the nickel alloy is heated, the surface of the alloy will passivate a thick and stable oxide layer to protect the internal alloy from corrosion.  Nickel alloys maintain good mechanical properties over a wide range of temperatures.  

The importance of 3D metal powder printing  

The metal powder makes 3D printing faster and allows for rapid prototyping.  Manufacturers can also modify designs more efficiently.  

 

This approach is also cost-effective, as metal 3D printers only use the amount of material needed to make the required parts.  

 

This approach makes it easy to design complex machine parts and enables the production of "impossible" machine parts.