3D Systems adds two high-performance metals to range
November 14, 2022
3D Systems, Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA, has announced the addition of Certified HX and Certified CuCr2.4 to its materials portfolio. Both materials are certified for use with the company’s DMP Flex and DMP Factory 350 Additive Manufacturing machines; HC is also certified for the DMP Factory 500 in an effort to address applications requiring high strength and corrosion-resistance in industries such as energy, industrial gas turbines, aerospace, defence and automotive.
Certified HX is a high-performance nickel alloy that contains a higher percentage of molybdenum (up to 9.5%) than other nickel alloys, enhancing its strength and resistance to corrosion, creep deformation, cracking, and oxidation in hot zone environments. This material is suited to applications with a service temperature of up to 1200°C and is said to be ideal for producing tall, large parts with integrated cooling and flow channels in optimal orientation in demanding industries. Possible applications include hot zone stator blades and integrated stators, impellers, turbine vanes, drilling tools, and combustion components that benefit from the high service temperature of the HX material. The material’s parameters were developed in collaboration with GF Machining Solutions before they underwent testing and optimisation by GF Casting Solutions using real-world applications.
“The DMP Factory 500 together with the new printing parameters for the HX nickel alloy allows us to scale our Additive Manufacturing services by delivering large cross-section parts such as combustion chamber casings, stators, and impellers,” stated Marco Salvisberg, Business Development Manager, Additive Manufacturing, GF Casting Solutions. “The high heat deflection temperature of the HX material combined with the surface smoothness, part accuracy, narrow tolerances, and high repeatability of the DMP Factory 500 printing process addresses the essential performance requirements of these parts and critical features such as cooling channels. With direct metal printing technology, we can outperform our competitors when it comes to the quality of metal series components. Our customers rate DMP part quality as the best in the industry today.”
The Certified CuCr2.4 is a high-strength, corrosion-resistant copper alloy that is said to be significantly stronger than pure copper and easier to additively manufacture. Its high part density (typically 99.9%) and conductivity after heat treatment make CuCr2.4 suitable for heat management and cooling systems in the high-tech, consumer goods, automotive, and aerospace & defence industries, especially when strength is also a requirement.
“Our Application Innovation Group (AIG) works alongside our customers to design the best additive manufacturing solution to address their application challenges,” said Dr David Leigh, EVP and CTO for Additive Manufacturing, 3D Systems. “Defining the right solution starts with our team collaborating with customers to select the best material to meet the part’s required performance and mechanical properties. Continued investment in our materials portfolio will help increase the number of applications available to help our customers’ demands — enabling them to accelerate their innovation and maintain their competitive advantage. The addition of Certified HX and Certified CuCr2.4 bolster our metals materials portfolio in support of our customers’ evolving application needs.”
