3D Printing Materials
In machining, a part’s form may change in the process, but its material properties end as they started. In additive, the 3D printing process determines the part's shape as well as its material properties. Variables like processing temperatures, nozzle diameter or laser spot size, gas flow, and more can affect layer adhesion, porosity and density of the final material. The main classes of materials used in 3D printing today are polymers, metals, composites, ceramics and sand
ESSENTIAL READING
VIEW ALLUnderstanding PEKK and PEEK for 3D Printing: The Cool Parts Show Bonus
Both materials offer properties desirable for medical implants, among other applications. In this bonus episode, hear more from Oxford Performance Materials and Curiteva about how these companies are applying PEKK and PEEK, respectively.
WatchThe AM Ecosystem, User Journeys and More from Formnext Forum Austin: AM Radio #43
Sessions and conversations at the first U.S. Formnext event highlighted the complete additive manufacturing ecosystem, sustainability, the importance of customer education, AM user journeys and much more.
Listen10 Important Developments in Additive Manufacturing Seen at Formnext 2022 (Includes Video)
The leading trade show dedicated to the advance of industrial 3D printing returned to the scale and energy not seen since before the pandemic. More ceramics, fewer supports structures and finding opportunities in wavelengths — these are just some of the AM advances notable at the show this year.
WatchWhat is Powder Bed Fusion 3D Printing?
Whether in metal or polymer, with a laser or an electron beam, powder bed fusion (PBF) is one of the most widely used 3D printing techniques.
WatchAM 101: Digital Light Synthesis (DLS)
Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) is the name for Carbon's resin-based 3D printing process. How it works and how it differs from stereolithography.
Read MorePowder Comparison: Standards for DED Material Substitutes
What powder properties lead to performance similar to a DED powder? Basic flowability energy, particle density and particle morphology are key candidates.
Read MoreLatest Materials News And Updates
Lithoz, ORNL Partner to Advance Processing for High-Temperature Ceramics
The new process could enable laser slurry drying of non-oxide ceramics with high refractive indexes
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The Virtual Foundry developed its M300 Tool Steel Filamet material for fused filament fabrication, offering compatibility with a variety of 3D printers.
Read MoreWilson Plans to Sell Customizable Airless, 3D Printed Basketball
This limited-edition Wilson Airless Gen1 basketball offering enhanced customization and color options will be available for purchase on Feb. 16.
Read More3D Systems Offers MJP 300W Printer, Wax Material for Advanced Jewelry Additive Manufacturing
The combination of the MJP 300W jewelry printer and VisiJet Wax Jewel Ruby enables jewelry designers to more efficiently achieve new designs with greater design freedom and improved surface finish.
Read MoreInsight Masterbatches Reduce Gloss, Improve Appearance of PLA, PETG FDM Systems
Insight Polymers’ low gloss masterbatches for PLA and PETG FDM systems improve the appearance of a 3D printed part by imparting a matte finish and mitigating layer lines with minimal impact on mechanical properties.
Read More3D Printer Manufacturer Now Offers Bio-Based, Recyclable Printing Materials
This collaboration gives customers a highly efficient process that eliminates production waste, minimizes energy consumption and enables flexible, localized, on-demand production with a smaller environmental footprint.
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This Drone Bird with 3D Printed Parts Mimics a Peregrine Falcon: The Cool Parts Show #66
The Drone Bird Company has developed aircraft that mimic birds of prey to scare off problem birds. The drones feature 3D printed fuselages made by Parts on Demand from ALM materials.
WatchUnderstanding PEKK and PEEK for 3D Printing: The Cool Parts Show Bonus
Both materials offer properties desirable for medical implants, among other applications. In this bonus episode, hear more from Oxford Performance Materials and Curiteva about how these companies are applying PEKK and PEEK, respectively.
WatchMultimodal Powders Bring Uniform Layers, Downstream Benefits for Metal Additive Manufacturing
A blend of particle sizes is the key to Uniformity Labs’ powders for 3D printing. The multimodal materials make greater use of the output from gas atomization while bringing productivity advantages to laser powder bed fusion and, increasingly, binder jetting.
Read MoreFeatured Media
Video: Multimodal Powders for Metal 3D Printing
Rather than uniform particle diameters, multimodal powders combine particles of different sizes. In this video, how and why Uniformity Labs produces multimodal metal powders for additive manufacturing.
WatchFDA-Approved Spine Implant Made with PEEK: The Cool Parts Show #63
Curiteva now manufactures these cervical spine implants using an unusual 3D printing method: fused strand deposition. Learn how the process works and why it’s a good pairing with PEEK in this episode of The Cool Parts Show.
WatchThe AM Ecosystem, User Journeys and More from Formnext Forum Austin: AM Radio #43
Sessions and conversations at the first U.S. Formnext event highlighted the complete additive manufacturing ecosystem, sustainability, the importance of customer education, AM user journeys and much more.
ListenFAQ: Materials
Can metal be 3D printed?
Yes. On the metals side, the most commonly 3D printed materials include aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, Inconel and cobalt chrome. Copper has historically been difficult to 3D print with laser-based systems, but innovations such as blue-light lasers make this possible; reflective metals like this may be easier to print using other methods such as binder jetting. An alloy suitable for one metal 3D printing method may not be appropriate for all such methods.
Can sand be 3D printed?
Yes, sand can be 3D printed through binder jetting to selectively adhere the grains together.
What is a thermoplastic?
A thermoplastic is a plastic polymer that can be heated to pliability, shaped either in a mold or through extrusion printing and then cooled back to a solid form. The makeup of a thermoplastic is such that the process of heating, shaping and cooling can be repeated without damage to the material.
What is a metal matrix composite (MMC)?
A metal matrix composite blends a metal alloy with another material such as ceramic.
The composite combines the light weight of aluminum with the strength, hardness and heat resistance of ceramic, making this material a promising choice not only for engines but also for applications in which high stiffness is needed for vibration control, or a low coefficient of thermal expansion is needed because of an extreme temperature range (the case with satellite parts). Yet the material’s very combination of heat resistance and hardness makes it difficult and costly to machine. Additive manufacturing addresses this problem because it is not just near-net-shape (true of a molding), but rather very near to net shape. Source: Metal Matrix Composite Demonstrates Additive Manufacturing’s Promise for New Materials