Designed for 3D printing technology in aerospace and automotive

For the pursuit of lightweight, the aerospace field is gradually bold to try to use 3D printing technology, and gradually become one of the areas with high adoption rate of 3D printing technology. 3D printing technology makes these parts have repeatable characteristics and consistent high quality, and can reduce production time, cost and materials, thus making the whole supply chain more efficient.

At present, the most popular 3D printing samples are mainly made of strong thermoplastic and metal (such as titanium). But at present, a new material, high strength aluminum alloy, is attracting more and more attention in the field of aerospace and automobile.

In 2016, Airbus printed cabin partition with scalalloy, which successfully helped A320 to slim down

As the first aluminum alloy specially developed for SLM process in the world, scalalloy is the second generation of high strength aluminum powder jointly developed and patented by apworks and Airbus. SC and Zr modified AI Mg alloys were prepared by selective laser melting (SLM) printing technology, and the relationship between convective flow, precipitation distribution, mechanical properties and scanning speed was clarified.

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Aerodynamic racing fender printed with scalalloy

This metal 3D printing material of Al Mg SC alloy has the characteristics of light weight, high ductility, strong corrosion resistance, high weldability, and the same firmness as titanium. It is suitable for all existing powder bed SLM 3D printers.

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Automobile heat exchanger printed with scalalloy

In addition, due to the characteristics of achieving better weight distribution within the limited weight and improving the performance of parts, this novel material is also extending to the high-end automotive field. Just in July this year, the application of scalaloy in the automotive field made an important breakthrough - according to foreign media reports, the International Federation of automobile (FIA) officially approved it as the approved material for Formula One racing. According to the FIA, Formula One racing cars are made of the most advanced materials and modern technology, and the cost of each car is generally more than $1 million.

For this new material, the domestic research on high strength aluminum alloy has also made progress. In April this year, Central South University and its cooperative team jointly developed a new type of high strength aluminum alloy - al-8.0mg-1.3si-0.5mn-0.5sc-0.3zr. The tensile strength of the printed sample of this material can reach 550 MPa after aging treatment, and the highest toughness is 17%.

The future research trend of 3D printing metal materials will still be lightweight, high strength and low cost. What is the next material to be developed? Let's wait and see!