Heraeus produces ‘world’s largest’ amorphous metal component by Additive Manufacturing

April 9, 2019

News
April 9, 2019
Heraeus produces 'world's largest' amorphous metal component by Additive Manufacturing

The amorphous metal gear wheel produced by Heraeus (Courtesy Heraeus)

 

Heraeus, headquartered in Hanau, Germany, has produced what is thought to be the world’s largest amorphous metal component using Additive Manufacturing, in cooperation with advanced materials specialist Amorphology Inc. The component, a gear wheel manufactured by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF), was presented at Automate 2019, April 8–11, 2019, in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

In contrast to pure metals and classic alloys, amorphous metals are characterised by an irregular, non-crystalline structure, and combine properties of extreme hardness, high yield strength and high elasticity within one material, which would not normally be feasible. Amorphous metals also offer good corrosion resistance, excellent wear resistance and the elasticity of polymers, have soft magnetic properties and are easy to magnetise and demagnetise. This combination of properties means that for many applications, amorphous metals may be superior to steel, titanium and other materials.

However, due to required cooling rates typically over 1000 kelvin/second for amorphous metals, only small parts have typically been possible using these materials. Using metal Additive Manufacturing, Heraeus was able to produce a part weighing 2 kg – including a weight reduction of 50% achieved by optimising the design, material and production process.

According to Heraeus, the ability to produce large components from amorphous metals opens up many new design possibilities for fields such as the automation and robotics industries.

www.heraeus.com

www.amorphology.com

News
April 9, 2019

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

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

  • Back to the future: A decade of Additive Manufacturing innovation and growth at Materials Solutions
  • Win or lose: A CEO’s reflections on Artificial Intelligence and Additive Manufacturing
  • AMS 2025 New York: A reality check for the Additive Manufacturing industry
  • Optimising powder removal in PBF-LB Additive Manufacturing: A Digital Twin approach
  • ValCUN’s MMD: A robust, wire-based aluminium AM technology for defence and industrial applications
  • Enhancing quality and reliability in metal Additive Manufacturing: The role of laser calibration

Join 40,000+ other AM professionals – follow us online

Don’t miss a thing – register for our newsletter

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

Register now

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
Find suppliers

About Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine

Metal AM magazine, published quarterly in digital and print formats, is read by a rapidly expanding international audience.

Our audience includes component manufacturers, end-users, materials and equipment suppliers, analysts, researchers and more.

In addition to providing extensive industry news coverage, Metal AM magazine is known for exclusive, in-depth articles and technical reports.

Our focus is the entire metal AM process from design to application.

Each issue is available as an easy-to-navigate digital edition and a high-quality print publication.

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

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap