What is 3D Printing Metal Powder

The global 3D printing metals market is growing and expected to reach $3.05 billion by 2025, according to a recent report by Grand View Research, Inc. However, to take full advantage of this growth and efficiently produce high-quality parts, powder producers, 3D printer manufacturers, and others will need to ensure the consistent, repeatable quality of the metal powders used in the process. In 3D printing applications, the metals involved include aluminum, stainless steel, copper, and precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. Although there is a range of metal powder suppliers, the industry is turn to contract powder processors for sophisticated heat treatments that improve the quality of the powder. As 3D printing techniques continue to advance, optimizing the powders with such heat treatments can improve powder flowability to prevent clogging, speed the process and produce a higher-quality part.Most metal powders used in 3D printing, such as iron, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, and titanium alloys, are produced by gas atomization. A feedstock is melted in a crucible before being ejected from a nozzle into a high-pressure gas stream. This breaks the molten metal into fine particles, typically under 50 – 150 microns in size. While the metal powders produced by this process are typically spherically shaped, it is also important to address the porosity of the surface of the powder particles to improve "flowability." "For reliable 3D printing production, the powder must flow continuously and smoothly," explains George Paffendorf, Director of Operations at Advanced Powder Solutions (APS), a powder contract manufacturer. APS is the in-house testing/engineering arm of Gemco, a tumble blending and vacuum tumble drying equipment manufacturer. "However, uniform powder flow can be inhibited if the particles are rough or porous, which creates more friction." The attractive force between tiny, sub-micron size particles increases as the particles become. If you are looking for high quality, high purity and cost-effective 3D Printing Metal Powder, or if you require the latest price of 3D Printing Metal Powder, please feel free to email contact mis-asia.