3D printing metals is no longer a new idea. But industry has only succeeded in using a limited range of metals for 3D additive manufacturing. The reason for this is that the printing process only succeeds in joining layers of metals that can be welded, other metals resulting in weaknesses between layers.
HRL Laboratories, LLC, Malibu, Califonia, USA , has made a breakthrough in metallurgy with the announcement that researchers at the famous facility have developed a technique for successfully 3D printing high-strength aluminum alloys—including types Al7075 and Al6061—that opens the door to additive manufacturing of engineering-relevant alloys. These alloys are very desirable for aircraft and automobile parts and have been among thousands that were not amenable to additive manufacturing—3D printing—a difficulty that has been solved by the HRL researchers. An added benefit is that their method can be applied to additional alloy families such as high-strength steels and nickel-based superalloys difficult to process currently in additive manufacturing.
To find out more about the process, check out the interview below:
3D manufacturing with a variety of space grade materials? At ONESTAGETOSPACE.COM we have a use for that.
For more information on the process, contact HRL, here.
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