Company Updates
Advanced Materials for Metal Additive Manufacturing
Metal materials for additive manufacturing, such as stainless steel and aluminum alloys, and how material choice shapes the performance of 3D printed parts.
<p>In metal additive manufacturing, material selection shapes the strength, corrosion behavior, weight, and finishing options of a printed part. 3DWK coordinates metal additive jobs through its manufacturing partner network alongside CNC, sheet metal, and other processes. The notes below summarize common metal families used in additive work; for grade-level detail on machined or fabricated stock, use the <a href="materials.php">materials library</a>.</p>
<h2>Stainless steels</h2>
<p>Stainless alloys used in metal 3D printing are typically chosen for corrosion resistance and usable strength in industrial equipment, fixtures, and general engineering parts. Printed stainless components may still need support removal, stress relief, machining of critical faces, or passivation depending on the drawing. When comparing wrought grades for conventional machining, see <a href="material-stainless-304.php">stainless 304</a>, <a href="material-stainless-316.php">stainless 316</a>, and <a href="material-stainless-17-4ph.php">17-4 PH</a>.</p>
<h2>Aluminum alloys</h2>
<p>Aluminum additive materials are valued for a high strength-to-weight ratio in brackets, housings, and lightweight structures. Surface finish and porosity expectations should be stated in the RFQ. For wrought aluminum used in CNC or sheet metal, start with <a href="material-aluminum-6061.php">6061</a> and <a href="material-aluminum-7075.php">7075</a>, or the comparison guide <a href="resources/6061-vs-7075-aluminum-for-machined-parts">6061 vs 7075</a>.</p>
<h2>Titanium alloys</h2>
<p>Titanium (commonly Ti-6Al-4V class materials in additive catalogs) offers high strength at low density and strong corrosion performance for demanding engineering environments. Machining of datums after printing is common when tolerances are tight. See <a href="material-titanium-ti6al4v.php">Titanium Ti-6Al-4V</a> for typical wrought properties used in conventional manufacturing discussions.</p>
<h2>Nickel-based and high-temperature alloys</h2>
<p>Nickel-based alloys are selected when the application needs elevated-temperature strength or aggressive environments that ordinary steels cannot meet. These materials often need careful process planning for residual stress and post-machining. Call out the alloy name and any heat-treatment or inspection needs in your RFQ notes.</p>
<h2>Tool steels and specialty metals</h2>
<p>Tool steels and other specialty metals appear in molds, tooling inserts, and wear parts where hardness and durability matter. Expect discussion of heat treatment, finishing, and which surfaces must be machined after build. If your program can use conventional tool steel stock instead of additive, say so—process fit is confirmed during engineering review.</p>
<h2>How to request a metal additive quote from 3DWK</h2>
<p>Upload STEP geometry (and a PDF drawing for critical dimensions), name the material family or grade, quantity, finish, and any inspection needs on the <a href="quote.php">quote page</a>. Choose Metal 3D Printing under manufacturing process when that is your intent, or select “Other / Need Guidance” if you want the team to compare additive with CNC or casting. The review steps are the same path described on <a href="how-it-works.php">How It Works</a>. Related reading: <a href="resources/sla-vs-sls-vs-mjf-prototypes">SLA vs SLS vs MJF for polymer prototypes</a> and our other metal additive company updates.</p>
<h2>Stainless steels</h2>
<p>Stainless alloys used in metal 3D printing are typically chosen for corrosion resistance and usable strength in industrial equipment, fixtures, and general engineering parts. Printed stainless components may still need support removal, stress relief, machining of critical faces, or passivation depending on the drawing. When comparing wrought grades for conventional machining, see <a href="material-stainless-304.php">stainless 304</a>, <a href="material-stainless-316.php">stainless 316</a>, and <a href="material-stainless-17-4ph.php">17-4 PH</a>.</p>
<h2>Aluminum alloys</h2>
<p>Aluminum additive materials are valued for a high strength-to-weight ratio in brackets, housings, and lightweight structures. Surface finish and porosity expectations should be stated in the RFQ. For wrought aluminum used in CNC or sheet metal, start with <a href="material-aluminum-6061.php">6061</a> and <a href="material-aluminum-7075.php">7075</a>, or the comparison guide <a href="resources/6061-vs-7075-aluminum-for-machined-parts">6061 vs 7075</a>.</p>
<h2>Titanium alloys</h2>
<p>Titanium (commonly Ti-6Al-4V class materials in additive catalogs) offers high strength at low density and strong corrosion performance for demanding engineering environments. Machining of datums after printing is common when tolerances are tight. See <a href="material-titanium-ti6al4v.php">Titanium Ti-6Al-4V</a> for typical wrought properties used in conventional manufacturing discussions.</p>
<h2>Nickel-based and high-temperature alloys</h2>
<p>Nickel-based alloys are selected when the application needs elevated-temperature strength or aggressive environments that ordinary steels cannot meet. These materials often need careful process planning for residual stress and post-machining. Call out the alloy name and any heat-treatment or inspection needs in your RFQ notes.</p>
<h2>Tool steels and specialty metals</h2>
<p>Tool steels and other specialty metals appear in molds, tooling inserts, and wear parts where hardness and durability matter. Expect discussion of heat treatment, finishing, and which surfaces must be machined after build. If your program can use conventional tool steel stock instead of additive, say so—process fit is confirmed during engineering review.</p>
<h2>How to request a metal additive quote from 3DWK</h2>
<p>Upload STEP geometry (and a PDF drawing for critical dimensions), name the material family or grade, quantity, finish, and any inspection needs on the <a href="quote.php">quote page</a>. Choose Metal 3D Printing under manufacturing process when that is your intent, or select “Other / Need Guidance” if you want the team to compare additive with CNC or casting. The review steps are the same path described on <a href="how-it-works.php">How It Works</a>. Related reading: <a href="resources/sla-vs-sls-vs-mjf-prototypes">SLA vs SLS vs MJF for polymer prototypes</a> and our other metal additive company updates.</p>
Discussion
Comments on this Resource
Signed-in website users can submit comments. Every comment is reviewed by an administrator before publication.
No published comments yet.
Log in or register to comment on this Resource.