3D Printer Metal Powders

Share This Post

3D printer metal powders are specialty metallic powders used as raw materials in various metal 3D printing processes. These powders allow complex metal parts and components to be fabricated layer-by-layer using additive manufacturing techniques.

Overview of 3D Printer Metal Powders

3D printer metal powders exhibit specific characteristics that make them suitable for additive manufacturing compared to conventional metal powders:

  • Finer particle size distribution
  • Spherical morphology
  • Controlled microstructure and crystallographic texture
  • Consistent chemical composition
  • Optimized flowability and packing density

These properties allow the powders to be precisely deposited and fused into accurate parts with reliable mechanical properties.

The most common metal powders used are:

  • Stainless steel
  • Aluminum
  • Titanium alloys
  • Cobalt-chrome
  • Nickel superalloys
  • Copper alloys

Various metal 3D printing technologies use powder bed fusion, directed energy deposition, or binder jetting processes. The type of powder is selected based on compatibility with the specific print process.

Table 1: Comparison of Metal 3D Printing Processes

Process Description Metals Used
Powder Bed Fusion Powder spread in thin layers and selectively melted by laser or electron beam Stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, nickel and cobalt alloys
Directed Energy Deposition Focused thermal energy source melts metal powder injected simultaneously Stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, cobalt-chrome alloys
Binder Jetting Liquid bonding agent selectively joins powder particles together Stainless steel, tool steel, bronze, tungsten carbide
3d printer metal powder

Metal Powder Compositions

Here are some of the commonly used metal alloys and their compositions used in commercial 3D printing:

Table 2: Common Metal Powder Compositions

Alloy Main Elements Example Grades
Stainless Steel Fe, Cr, Ni, Mo 316L, 17-4PH, 15-5PH, 420
Aluminum Al, Si, Mg, Cu AlSi10Mg, AlSi7Mg0.6, AlSi12
Titanium Ti, Al, V Ti6Al4V, Ti6Al4V ELI
Cobalt Chrome Co, Cr, W, Ni, Fe, Si, Mn, C CoCr, CoCrMo
Nickel Superalloy Ni, Cr, Co, Mo, W, Al, Ti, Ta Inconel 625, Inconel 718
Copper Alloy Cu, Zn CuSn10, CuCr1Zr

The ratios of the main alloying elements can be varied to obtain specific microstructures and tailored mechanical properties. Trace additives may also be included for enhanced performance.

Table 3: Elemental Composition Ranges of Common Alloys

Alloy Major Constituents (wt%) Minor Constituents (wt%)
316L stainless steel Cr 16-18, Ni 10-14, Mo 2-3 C, Si, P, S < 0.1
AlSi10Mg aluminum Al bal., Si 9-11, Mg 0.2–0.45 Fe < 0.55, Mn < 0.45, Ti < 0.15
Ti6Al4V titanium Al 5.5-6.75, V 3.5-4.5 Fe < 0.3, O < 0.2
CoCrMo cobalt chrome Co bal., Cr 26-30, Mo 5-7 Si < 1, Mn < 1, C < 0.35, Fe < 0.75
Inconel 718 nickel alloy Ni 50-55, Cr 17-21, Nb+Ta 4.75-5.5 Mo 2.8-3.3, Ti 0.65-1.15

Metal Powder Properties

The properties of metal powders determine print quality, part functionality and production economics:

Table 4: Key Properties of Metal Powders for Additive Manufacturing

Property Typical Range Role
Particle size 10-75 μm Affects layer thickness, detail resolution, density
Morphology Predominantly spherical Influences packing, spreadability, flow
Apparent density Up to 80% of solid Determines quantity required to build parts
Tap density Up to 90% of solid Indicates packing efficiency during processing
Flow rate Up to 50 s/50g Ensure smooth powder spreading during printing
Chemical purity Up to 99.9% target metal Avoids reaction products or inclusions

The specifications depend on the exact part quality and mechanical properties needed.

For most metals in laser-based processes, the ideal powder size is ~20-45 μm for optimized part density (>99%) and surface finish (Ra 5-15 μm).

Spherical powders flow and spread evenly. Irregular shapes negatively impact packing and cause defects. Powders for binder jetting can be 10-100 μm since there is no melting.

Higher apparent and tap densities lead to better utilization of expensive metal powders during printing. Lower densities cause excess wastage.

Reliable flow ensures uniform layers. Poor flow causes uneven melting and distorted builds. Moisture absorption severely reduces flowability.

Even minor impurities can degrade alloy properties or clog print nozzles. Use of high purity raw materials is critical.

Table 5: Supplier Specifications for Common Metal Powders

Material Size Range Oxygen Content Tap Density Flow Rate
316L stainless 15-45 μm < 0.1 wt% Up to 4.2 g/cc < 40 s
AlSi10Mg 25-55 μm < 0.45 wt% Up to 2.7 g/cc < 32 s
Ti6Al4V 10-75 μm < 0.13 wt% Up to 2.7 g/cc < 50 s
CoCr 20-63 μm < 0.1 wt% Up to 4.4 g/cc < 60 s
Inconel 718 10-45 μm < 0.04 wt% Up to 4.5 g/cc < 45 s

Operating within the recommended range ensures high product quality. Excess variation risks defects.

3d printer metal powder

Metal Powder Applications

Here are some examples of end-use applications taking advantage of 3D printed metal parts, along with the typical alloys used:

Table 6: End-use Applications and Alloys for Metal AM Parts

Industry Application Metals Used Benefits
Aerospace Turbine blades, frames, antennas Ti alloys, Ni superalloys, Al alloys Weight savings, complex cooling channels
Automotive Brake levers, pistons, manifolds Al alloys, stainless steel Performance gains, consolidated assemblies
Medical Orthopedic implants, surgical tools Ti, CoCr, stainless steel Patient-specific shapes, bio-compatibility
Oil & gas Valve bodies, pump impellers Stainless steel, Inconel Withstand extreme environments
Consumer Jewelry, decorative art Gold alloys, silver Intricate geometries, custom designs

Metal additive enables lighter, stronger products optimal for each function at lower costs compared to traditional fabrication processes in small batch production scenarios.

Table 7: Highlights of Metal 3D Printing vs Traditional Methods

Metric Metal AM Subtractive Machining Casting
Part complexity No restrictions Limited by tool access Restricted by molds
Customization Easily change designs New programs required Redesign patterns
Operating costs Low up to 10,000 parts High setup costs High tooling costs
Mechanical properties Similar or exceed Depends on method Varies, heat treatment

FAQ:

Q: What is the difference between pre-alloyed and blended elemental metal powders?

A: Pre-alloyed powders have the target alloy composition pre-made by the manufacturer, ensuring chemical homogeneity. Blended elemental powders consist of pure metal powders that are mixed together in the target ratios before printing, combining during melting.

Q: How are these powder properties measured and analyzed?

A: Particle size distribution is quantified by laser diffraction analysis. Morphology and microstructure are studied under scanning electron and optical microscopy. Densities are measured by Hall flowmeter and tapped density tester instruments per ASTM standards. Chemical analysis is done using atomic absorption or emission spectroscopy and inert gas fusion for oxygen and nitrogen content.

know more 3D printing processes

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best

More To Explore

Effect of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of LPBF CuCrZr

CuCrZr (C18150) alloy is a precipitation-hardening alloy known for its high mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. The alloy is widely used in heat exchange devices and in the field of nuclear fusion.   CuCrZr alloy is a very attractive alloy that can replace pure copper in many applications, with Cr in the range of 0.5

10 Essential Steps for Effective Tungsten Prep: Unlocking the Potential of Tungsten for Industries

1. Introduction Tungsten is a highly versatile and valuable metal that finds application in various industries due to its exceptional properties. However, before tungsten can be effectively utilized, it requires proper preparation to ensure its quality, performance, and reliability. In this article, we will explore the concept of tungsten prep, its importance in different industries,

es_ESSpanish
Scroll al inicio