Yes, metal can indeed be used in 3D printing and it’s a rapidly growing area in the field of additive manufacturing.
Metal 3D Printing Processes
The most common metal 3D printing process is Selective Laser Melting (SLM). SLM uses metal powders with a single melting temperature and fully melts the particles.
3D Printing Metals
Common materials for metal 3D printing include stainless steel, tool steels, titanium, aluminum, and Inconel. These metals are chosen for their strength, lightweight properties, heat and chemical resistance, and other desirable characteristics.
Applications
Metal 3D printing is used in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, and manufacturing. It’s particularly useful for creating complex geometries and structures that would be difficult or impossible to manufacture metal parts with traditional methods.