3D Printing in Aluminum

Aluminum is a metal with high strength, low weight that combines great mechanical and thermal properties.

About aluminum

Aluminum is a strong, light-weight metal alloy that combines outstanding mechanical and thermal properties. For those reasons, aluminum alloys are one of the most popular metals in the world, being widely used in the aerospace, automotive and biomedical industries.

The remarkable characteristics of this metal material make it a great choice for high-performance functional parts that are exposed to high loads. Aluminum alloys are also suitable for engine parts, production tools as well as for specific heat exchanger and outdoor applications.

The material can be used for both prototyping and manufacturing purposes. The quality of parts that are 3D printed in Aluminum are as good as parts manufactured with CNC.

Available aluminum alloys:

AlSi10Mg – Aluminum with silicone (10%) and magnesium alloys;
AlSi12 – Aluminum with silicone alloy (12%);
AlSi7Mg – Aluminum with silicone (7%) and magnesium alloys;
AlSi9Cu3 – Aluminum with silicone (+/-9%) and copper (+/-3%) alloys;

Strengths

✦ High performance material with remarkable mechanical properties

✦ Complex geometric structures

✦ Ideal for both prototypes and end-parts

✦ Great strenght-to-weight ratio

✦ Weather resistant / No rust

Weaknesses

✧ 2.7 times less rigid than a construction steel

✧ Not biocompatible

COMMON APPLICATIONS OF 3D PRINTING IN ALUMINUM

– Engine parts

– Ductworks

– Specific heat exchanger applications

Available technologies on our aluminum 3d print service

DMLS

Direct Metal Laser Sintering produces high-end metal parts free of residual stress and internal defects.

EBM

Electron Beam Melting creates sophisticated parts with high dimensional accuracy and strength.

CHARACTERISTICS OF 3D PRINTING IN ALUMINUM

DMLS

EBM

Max. Bed Size (mm)

800x400x500 mm

350x350x380 mm

Max. Bed Size (in)

31.5×15.8×19.7 in

3.8×13.8×15 in

Layer Height

30-150 μm

130 μm

Accuracy

★★★★☆

Smoothness

★★★★☆

★★★☆☆

Flexibility

★★★★☆

Rigidity

★★☆☆☆

Biocompatible

Food Safe

Watertight

Yes

Recyclable

Yes

General technical data for 3D PRINTING IN ALUMINUM

Density

2.7 g/cm3

Young Modulus

70 GPa

Yield Strength

200 Mpa

UTS

465 Mpa

Elongation at Break

20%

Hardness

HBW 2.5/62.5

* These values are meant to give a general idea of the material. Actual values may vary according to chosen material brand, 3D print service and build condition. Please refer to the Beamler online quoting platform for actual technical data of each material brand.

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