Feedstock Materials
Metal AM is experiencing a phase of rapid materials development where new AM technologies are giving rise to an increasing range of ‘printable’ alloys. Though there are three main types of feedstock (powder, wire, and filament), there are emerging systems that use bar and even sheet forms.
For the best advice on what is suited to your application, or to carry out in-depth market research for your future requirements, contact Martin today.
Powder
The most commonly used feedstocks at present are metal powders. Across the world there is a vast and rapidly developing supply chain for these materials. Learn more about the production and full range of powders here.
Wire
The last 5 years has seen a significant growth in the use of wire feedstocks in metal AM. Directed Energy Deposition technologies deploying Wire Arc or Laser based weld heads are leading the way in Large Format AM. Find more information on specific wires here.
Filaments / Rods
Several companies now supply systems that have been derived from technologies very similar to the FDM type machines used in polymer (plastic) based 3D printing systems.
Sustainability of AM Materials
Sustainability is something that is intrinsically engrained within metal AM, making it an area in which the industrial world is generating a lot of interest and research activity. Most governments now have targets linked to achieving Net Zero and this is also where sustainability has an important impact. Therefore understanding how to determine the level of sustainability of a particular Additive Manufacturing solution is a critical step in successfully meeting current and future targets.
or learn how metal AM can help to achieve your Net Zero targets.