Did you know that 3D printing isn't just limited to plastics but can also be applied to various materials like metals and ceramics? In our latest article, you'll get a comprehensive look at these 3D materials and discover why they're becoming top choices in industrial production and construction! 

Metal Material Group

Metal 3D printing is one of the fastest-growing advanced manufacturing technologies at an industrial level. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global market for this technology reached a value of $6.36 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.2% from now until 2030. 

This growth is partly driven by the wide variety of materials compatible with this technology. Whether using powder-bed fusion, DED, EBM, or even metal extrusion systems, the options for materials are virtually limitless. Below is a summary of the most commonly used metals in 3D printing and their characteristics. 

Aluminum 

Aluminum is an excellent choice with a perfect combination of lightness and strength. In addition to being corrosion-resistant, aluminum can also be welded. Compared to steel, aluminum is less durable and more sensitive to high temperatures. It is mainly used in fields where weight is critical, such as mechanical parts for race cars, aerospace, bicycles, etc. 

Aluminum 3D printed cold plate for electrical racing car 

Aluminum is rarely found in its pure form; it is more commonly found as an alloy with other metals to improve its physical and mechanical properties, such as silicon and magnesium. A typical example is the AISi10Mg aluminum alloy. 

Read more: METAL 3D PRINTED COLD PLATE FOR ELECTRIC RACE CARS 

Aluminum Alloys 

Aluminum alloys are more commonly used than pure aluminum and are widely applied in industrial, aerospace, and automotive applications. They boast a high strength-to-weight ratio, as well as good resistance to load and corrosion. 

Steel 

Steel is one of the most popular 3D printing metals in the industry, and it's no surprise that it was the first metal used in additive manufacturing. There are two main types of steel used: stainless steel and tool steel. Stainless steel is widely used in everyday life, mechanical engineering, and medicine, offering good metallic properties and a polished, shiny surface. 

Nikon SLM®125 printed injection mold with tool steel 1.2709 

Several manufacturers in the 3D printing industry supply this material, including Nikon SLM Solutions, ProMetal, and Desktop Metal. Stainless steel's properties include hardness, tensile strength, formability, and impact resistance. Other alloys can also be 3D printed using stainless steel as the base, such as bronze and gold, by coating the stainless steel powder layers with copper or gold bonding agents during printing. 

Read more: NEW SOLUTIONS FOR THE MOLDING MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY 

Copper Alloys 

Copper is another metal suitable for 3D printing, known for its high electrical and thermal conductivity, ductility, and malleability. Copper is available in filament and powder forms for 3D printing and is commonly used in thermal management and electrical engineering applications (such as inductors, electrodes, heat exchangers), and in tool production. 

Titanium 

Titanium is the material of choice for the medical and aerospace industries due to its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, high corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. Titanium is available in both powder and filament forms, and all grades of titanium are extremely corrosion-resistant, ductile, and weldable. However, titanium is quite expensive, costing about 50 times more than steel. 

3D printing implants with antibacterial titanium metal 

Titanium Alloys 

Titanium alloys, such as Ti6Al4V, are the most widely used titanium alloys, accounting for 56% of the global titanium market. This alloy strikes a good balance between mechanical strength, ductility, fatigue strength, and fracture toughness. Titanium alloys are used to manufacture industrial components such as sheet metal, fasteners, rings, discs, and containers, as well as high-performance automotive engine parts like gearboxes and connecting rods. 

Cobalt-Chrome 

Cobalt-chrome alloys are compatible with EBM and DMLS techniques and are of higher quality than those produced by traditional methods. Known as CoCrMo, these cobalt-chrome alloys are widely used in medicine to manufacture orthopedic and dental implants due to their rigidity, smoothness, wear-resistant surface, and resistance to corrosion. The automotive and aerospace industries also use cobalt-chrome-molybdenum alloys for their high heat resistance. 

Nickel-Based Alloys 

Nickel is an extremely versatile material that can be combined with other metals. Nickel-chromium superalloys like Inconel 718 and Inconel 625 allow the production of strong, corrosion-resistant metal parts. These alloys are mainly used in the aerospace, automotive, and petrochemical industries, where they must withstand high stress and temperatures. 

Precious Metals 

3D printing with precious metals like gold, silver, and copper is often done using metal casting. This method is primarily used in the jewelry industry and for producing small objects. One of the limitations of this casting method is ensuring a minimum wall thickness of 0.8mm to 1mm to maintain quality. 

Finally, it's important to note that the atomic structure of the metal can now be modified during 3D printing, leading to faster and more uniform solidification, resulting in harder and stronger metals. 

Ceramic Material Group 

Ceramics are one of the oldest materials, often associated with traditional types like clay or porcelain. However, today ceramics also include technical ceramics for advanced applications. 

Ceramics 

Currently, there are two main groups of technical ceramics: oxide ceramics and non-oxide ceramics. The first group includes metal oxides like alumina, zirconia, and silica, while the second group includes materials such as silicon carbide, silicon boride, or silicon nitride. These materials are ideal for parts that need to withstand high temperatures and resist wear. Ceramic 3D printers can use various manufacturing processes, from powder bonding to stereolithography to extrusion. 

Unique multi-patterned ceramic 3D printing 

Sand 

Sand can also be considered a type of ceramic material. It is used to create complex parts that leverage the advantages of additive manufacturing, primarily in foundry molds. Using this material reduces waste, saves energy, and significantly shortens production time compared to other techniques. 

Sand can be used for mass production of finished products or prototyping, with machines like ExOne’s S-Max Flex. This is an ideal choice for industrial applications requiring high precision and fast production times. 

Sand 3D printed car wheel 

Learn more about sand 3D printing: Sand 3D Printing: The Complete Guide - 3Dnatives 

Concrete 

Concrete is another ceramic material we want to highlight. To create concrete, stone aggregates and water are mixed to form a uniform mixture that is also compatible with 3D printing. As a result, additive manufacturing in the construction industry has become increasingly important. Using concrete as a building material is very economical, with printers ranging in price from $180,000 to over $1 million. 

Some prominent printers on the market include the Apis Cor house printer and the Crane from WASP. Speed is one of the key advantages of these machines: in just 48 hours, you can erect the walls of a house! 

Stone 

Stone is another ceramic option compatible with 3D printing technology. This material is mainly used in the form of filament for FDM/FFF 3D printers. Stone filaments are made from a mixture of plaster and plastic. Manufacturers offering this type of filament include ColorFabb and Formfutura. The surprising thing about these filaments is that they really look and feel like stone, making them ideal for decorative applications seeking a more natural finish. 

Ceramics in 3D printing offer a fantastic choice for many applications, from industrial to construction and decorative purposes, thanks to their excellent heat resistance, high durability, and design flexibility. 

Location offering a wide range of materials suitable for a wide range of metal 3D printers 

Nikon SLM Solutions offers a comprehensive range of metal powders specifically designed for use in their selective laser melting (SLM) systems, which are widely used in additive manufacturing (AM). These materials are qualified for their chemical composition, particle size, and flow characteristics, ensuring optimal performance in various applications. 

Key materials provided by Nikon SLM Solutions include: 

These materials are extensively used in industries like aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and tooling due to their strength, durability, and suitability for complex geometries. Additionally, Nikon SLM Solutions supports the development of new alloys and offers open-parameter systems that allow users to customize and optimize their material processes. 

For further details, you can visit: Explore Metals Used in 3D Printing | SLM Solutions  

Vinnotek is proud to be a partner of Nikon SLM Solutions in Vietnam. Contact us today for consultation on your business needs! 

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