3D Printing News A new type of tungsten powder compatible with additive manufacturing
Metal additive manufacturing is becoming more and more popular. More and more 3D printing companies specialize in metal manufacturing or provide metal printing machines, which shows this. Aluminum, bronze, chromium, stainless steel, iron and copper are just a few examples of the most commonly used metals. Some of these-usually in the form of alloys-are already available in the additive manufacturing industry, and these elements are usually processed by laser powder bed melting or electron beam melting. A special metal that shows great potential in the field of additive manufacturing-especially for 3D printing in the automotive and aerospace industries-is tungsten because of its excellent mechanical strength, high stiffness and high thermal load capacity.
In fact, tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals, about 6,152°F (3,400°C), which makes it very suitable for use in energy and lighting technology, but also makes it difficult to manufacture. The biggest challenge of using tungsten in additive manufacturing is that printed parts are often prone to cracking, which greatly affects quality. This problem is particularly common in more complex and precise shapes with curves or holes, which cannot be modeled using traditional techniques or processing techniques. But now there is a solution: Bayerische Metallwerke GmbH has developed a new manufacturing process for the tungsten alloys WNiFe (tungsten, nickel and iron) and WNiCu (tungsten, nickel and copper), which was patented in early 2021.
More and more metals are available for additive manufacturing. (Photo source: 3D system)
This production method is characterized by a multiphase solid solution alloy, which is obtained in powder form. Dr. Hany Gobran, R&D manager of Bayerische Metallwerke, reported on his new development: “Our tungsten-nickel-iron alloy is characterized by the fact that we obtain it as a pre-alloyed powder, suitable as a starting product for 3D printing and coating processes.” Previously, Only mixed powders can be used to make tungsten for parts with complex geometries. Unlike Mr. Gobran's new pre-alloyed powders, these mixtures have different melting points, causing most of the added elements (nickel and iron) to evaporate uncontrollably during the melting process. Due to the pre-alloying of the new patented process, all three elements are combined into a multi-phase material in each individual powder particle, so their composition and distribution in the final product can be precisely controlled without loss of adhesion Agent metal.
Bayerische Metallwerk GmbH also stated that the composition of the alloy can be adjusted according to the application. Gobran said: “The higher the proportion of tungsten in the final product, the stronger its resistance to molten aluminum and the better its thermal conductivity. On the other hand, if good ductility and machinability play a greater role, then The tungsten content in the alloy can be reduced accordingly. Therefore, the composition can always be adapted to the specific application and the corresponding shape complexity." In fact, the flow behavior and particle size of the powder can also be determined between 10 and 200 µm. These features provide a lot of flexibility for development, making it applicable and applicable to many processes-including, of course, additive manufacturing. Last but not least, tungsten alloys are also persuasive economically and environmentally. For example, due to its high density, alloy products are not only a good substitute for toxic lead, but also according to Nabil Gdoura, R&D engineer of Bayerische Metallwerke GmbH, it is also produced from scraps or scraps, so the waste can be returned to the material from the traditional process Cycle and upgrade cycle.
Parts printed with tungsten alloy (photo source: Bayerische Metallwerk GmbH)
What do you think of this new type of tungsten alloy powder? Tell us in the comments below or on our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages! Sign up for our free weekly newsletter here to send the latest 3D printing news directly to your inbox!
Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.
I hope that we will soon usher in the day when 3D printed carbon composite materials (graphite and graphite, etc.) will replace most of the metals used to make a large number of products today. The energy-intensive, environmentally destructive, and resource-depleted nature of metal mining and refining is sustainable for future non-essential products. On the other hand, carbon is said to cause an oversupply of the earth. Although carbon storage technology continues to evolve, there are huge opportunities to develop it as a composite building material instead of spending a lot of money to build long-term storage facilities and infrastructure. We need the best and brightest people in the community to come forward to achieve this mimic shift to realize the huge benefits of this viable challenge! let's start!
Your email address will not be published. Required places have been marked *
Name *
原文
提供更好的翻译建议
<="" div="">
<="" p="">
Email *
<="" div="">
<="" p="">
website
<="" div="">
<="" p="">
I agree to save my personal data in accordance with the privacy policy.
3Dnatives is the largest international online media platform for 3D printing and its applications. With in-depth analysis of the market, 3Dnatives has more than 1 million unique visitors every month and is currently available in English, French, Spanish and German. 3Dnatives cooperates with major additive manufacturing market participants to provide various services, such as a 3D printing price comparison engine, B2B consulting and B2B brand content, event management and more!
1. Da Vinci Mini w+ | XYZPrinting 2. Form 3 | Formlabs 3. CR-10 | Creality 4. Jet Fusion 580 | HP 5. SLM 500 | SLM Solution 6. Marker Two | Markforged 7. RenAM 500 M | Ray Nissaw 8. M200 Plus | Zortrax 9. Carbon fiber M2 | Carbon 10. Anet A8 | Anet 3D
Compare Desktop 3D Printer Compare Professional 3D Printer Compare 3D Scanner 3D Print Catalog 3D Printer Test Activity Board Work Board Communication
Every Wednesday, you will receive the latest 3D printed news summary in your inbox.
I agree to save my personal data in accordance with the privacy policy.