Scientists have developed a new method of 3D printing metal that can help reduce costs and use resources more efficiently. This groundbreaking method, created by a research group led by the University of Cambridge, allows for structural changes to be made to metal alloys during the 3D printing process, enabling subtle adjustments to their properties without the need for traditional heating and forging methods that have been used for thousands of years. The results of the study have been published in the journal Nature Communications.
3D printing offers numerous advantages over other manufacturing methods. It allows for the creation of complex shapes and uses significantly less material compared to traditional techniques. However, it also has its limitations. “One of the main issues is the high production cost due to the need for post-printing material refinement,” explained Dr. Matteo Sith from the University of Cambridge.
Since the Bronze Age, metal parts have been produced through heating and forging. This method enables the shaping of metal into desired forms and the attainment of desired properties such as flexibility or strength. However, modern 3D printing technologies do not yet allow for full control over the internal structure of the printed metal, necessitating post-printing improvements.
Dr. Sith and his colleagues have developed a new “recipe” for 3D printing metal that enables control over the material’s internal structure during the melting process with a laser. This method utilizes standard 3D printing laser technologies with a slight modification.
“We discovered that the laser can act as a ‘microscopic hammer’ to harden the metal during 3D printing,” said Dr. Sith. The 3D-printed steel they have developed, both theoretically and experimentally tested, exhibits performance comparable to steel produced using traditional methods.
“We believe that this method can aid in reducing the cost of 3D printing metal, ultimately improving the stability of the metallurgical industry,” added Dr. Sith.
The research group involved experts from Nanian Technical University, the Scientific Research Agency Singapore, the Paul Scherrer Institute, the Technical Research Center of Finland, and the Australian Organization of Nuclear Science and