Heraeus doubles its portfolio of high-tech metals for new industrial applications in Additive Manufacturing
German technology group Heraeus is reported to have nearly doubled its portfolio of special alloys and high-value metals to around 20 metal powders in the last year. The portfolio includes amorphous metals (metallic glasses), precious metals (sterling silver, red gold, and iridium), refractory metals with high melting points such as molybdenum, niobium, and tantalum, and a wide variety of metal alloys.
The preparation of refractory metals for Additive Manufacturing, in particular, is said to be completely new territory for metal-printing technology, as these materials require high temperatures of up to 2500°C. Heraeus develops, supplies, and qualifies appropriate powders for layer-by-layer construction of components for industrial manufacturing. Materials and process expertise are crucial in this regard, as the metal powders and printing process must be perfectly aligned.
Heraeus also makes it possible to create complex shapes from amorphous metals. Also known as metallic glasses, this innovative class of materials is suitable for an unusually large number of high-tech applications. Amorphous metals are shock-absorbing and scratch-proof while still having very good spring characteristics – making them attractive for injection nozzle diaphragms, cases for consumer electronics, and dome tweeters for speakers, among other things.
Broad variety of industrial applications for metallic powders
The diverse applications range from lightweight end plates for Formula Student race cars, additively manufactured from heat-treatable cast aluminum alloys, to the resource-conserving production of platinum-alloy control nozzles for satellites.
Current Heraeus collaborations include the 3i Print Project, which demonstrates the full potential of industrial 3D printing for the automobile industry, through the example of the front-end structure of an old VW Caddy.
In another project, with the Moog company, hydraulic control blocks for robot applications (such as salvage robots) are produced with Additive Manufacturing techniques. Heraeus supplied and qualified the high-strength aluminum alloy Scalmalloy® for the production of the components.
“In the marketing of high-quality powders, Heraeus focuses primarily on the aerospace, automobile, and medical technology industries, while also covering the area that we call ‘industrial applications,’” stated Tobias Caspari, head of Heraeus Additive Manufacturing.
“In the future, 3D printing will be the process of choice for many areas of technology. In the aerospace and automobile areas, Additive Manufacturing makes weight savings possible that are not achievable through traditional manufacturing. It is possible to manufacture much lighter and yet stable functional parts with completely new design possibilities. At the same time, we are conserving resources and can recycle excess powder.”
At formnext, Frankfurt, Germany, November 14 to 17, in Hall 3.1/C38, the technology group will be exhibiting new industrial applications for valuable metals and alloys in Additive Manufacturing.
