Equispheres reports results of sintering tests on aluminium alloys for Binder Jet AM

September 2, 2019

Equispheres reports results of sintering testing of aluminium alloys for Binder Jet AM
Equispheres has reported that its aluminium alloy powders are suitable for sintering after Binder Jet AM (Courtesy Equispheres)

Equispheres, a materials science company based in Ottawa, Canada, in collaboration with McGill University, Montreal, Canada, has announced that after extensive testing, Equispheres’ aluminium alloy powders are suitable for sintering following binder jet Additive Manufacturing.

According to the company, until now, binder jet AM technology was unable to produce sinterable aluminium alloy parts. This was largely due to aluminium’s oxide layer, resulting in rapid oxidation. Equispheres states that the powder it has developed will make sintering of aluminium alloy parts viable due to its thinner oxide layer and smoother surface. The specific findings of its testing include: compaction-free, sub-solidus sintering of the company’s standard AlSi10Mg aluminium alloy powder, good densification (> 95%) and excellent microstructure.

Equispheres is reportedly working with McGill University, as well as other key partners, on the development of specialised binder agents for aluminium and specific automotive applications. The company is optimistic that the process and powder will offer a new high standard for many critical parts as the process is refined and testing continues.

Equispheres reports results of sintering testing of aluminium alloys for Binder Jet AM

SEM image of Equispheres’ aluminium alloy powders (Courtesy Equispheres)

“The unique and tailored attributes of Equispheres’ powder have proven exceptional in compaction free sintering,” stated Dr Mathieu Brochu, Associate Professor at McGill and Canada Research Chair in Pulse Processing of Nanostructured Materials. “We are excited to begin work with Equispheres’ Binder Jet printing partners in the next phase to fully understand all aspects related to sintering of complex shape components and the fundamental relations with new specialised binder agents.”

Kevin Nicholds, Equispheres’ CEO, commented, “We are excited about the industry response to our unique aluminium sintering results. Although Binder Jet printer technology offers the speed and cost reductions necessary to enable Additive Manufacturing to meet the requirements of automotive mass production, the inability to print with aluminium alloys has been a major limitation to the technology – until now.”

www.equispheres.com

www.mcgill.ca

2022 Winter Metal AM

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • What happens when you take the powder out of AM? Charting the rise of wire-based DED with WAAM3D
  • Smart sensor-integrated parts by AM: A look at a novel possibility with industrial applications
  • Tailored materials for AM: How a 'powder kit' can achieve greater material diversity with fewer resources in PBF-LB
  • QuesTek's ICMD: Faster, cheaper, and better alloy development for Additive Manufacturing
  • NanoAL: Alloy development on an open parameter PBF-LB machine, from installation through to Rapid Alloy Screening
  • Using the Six Sigma method to optimise metal powder spreading in PBF-LB
  • Insights from R&D to part production: How CT analysis can advance metal Binder Jetting
  • Corrosion and wear resistence of materials processed by beam-based AM technologies

The world of metal AM to your inbox

Don't miss any new issue of Metal AM magazine, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our twice weekly newsletter.

Sign up

News from the industry…

    News from the industry…

    Discover our magazine archive…

    The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

    • Reports on visits to leading metal AM part manufacturers and industry suppliers
    • Articles on technology and application trends
    • Information on materials developments
    • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
    • International industry news

    All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

    Browse the archive

    Looking for AM machines, metal powders or part manufacturing services?

    Discover suppliers of these and more in our comprehensive advertisers’ index and buyer’s guide, available in the back of Metal AM magazine.

    • AM machines
    • Process monitoring & calibration
    • Heat treatment & sintering
    • HIP systems & services
    • Pre- & post-processing technology
    • Powders, powder production and analysis
    • Part manufacturers
    • Consulting, training & market data
    Download PDF
    Share via
    Copy link
    Powered by Social Snap