Do you want to 3D print your parts, but can’t decide between polymers or metals? When it comes to 3D printing, there’s one material that combines the best of both worlds: alumide. This is an interesting option that involves combining polyamide (nylon) with aluminum powder, hence the name. It is compatible with selective laser sintering technology, and combines the design flexibility of nylon with the brilliance of aluminum in a single material. To find out more about this powder material and its use in additive manufacturing, read this comprehensive guide!
Properties of Alumide in 3D Printing
As mentioned, alumide is a powder material whose name comes from the combination of the words aluminum and polyamide. It is largely made from polyamide (nylon), with a smaller percentage of aluminum powder. Although aluminum gives it a matt, metallic surface with a subtle sheen, it also makes it more brittle than nylon. Among other properties, alumide is considerably stiffer and more porous than other materials used in 3D printing. What’s more, it can withstand much higher temperatures without deforming, unlike thermoplastics such as PLA, which tend to melt.
Photo Credits: Sculpteo
An SLS-compatible material, it follows the same manufacturing process as standard polyamide. In the 3D printer, a first layer of powder is deposited, which is then sintered by a laser. Then, another layer of powder is added, and the process is repeated successively to progressively create the object. In general, several parts can be produced in one printing process, depending on their size. This process is followed by manual post-processing, during which an operator recovers the parts to clean them before any finishing work.
When designing models for alumide 3D printing, it is essential to consider several aspects to achieve optimal results. The minimum thickness between opposing surfaces must be at least 1 mm, as thinner walls can weaken the model. Maximum dimensions are 650 x 330 x 560 mm for natural finish and 270 x 150 x 150 x 150 mm for tinted models. Alumide can also be used to manufacture interconnected components, but the spacing between moving parts must be at least 0.4 mm. In addition, due to exposure to high temperatures during the process, it’s best to avoid designing large, flat surfaces, as these can be deformed. Taking these factors into account can significantly improve the quality and durability of printed alumide models.
Main Applications
Alumide is an ideal choice for beginners in 3D printing, as it rarely requires print media and users can create more complex geometries compared to other manufacturing techniques. It’s a strong material, but has a certain flexibility, enabling it to absorb small shocks and withstand a fair amount of pressure. Parts 3D printed with alumide can have a natural matte, gray or gloss finish, or post-processing techniques, such as dyeing, can be applied to achieve different color finishes. This is a great advantage because, despite its porous and grainy texture, the material can be polished or even varnished to achieve a more optimal surface finish for certain applications.
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Alumide parts can be post-treated to obtain colored results (Photo Credits: Oceanz).
Thanks to its unique properties, alumide 3D printing is ideal for many different applications. It is mainly used to create rigid, metallic-looking parts, tools and components for injection molding, non-removable assemblies, rapid prototyping of technical parts or metallic-looking presentation models, among others. It’s a good choice if you’re looking to create models that need more rigidity than polyamide or simply a metallic appearance. As such, it can be used in a wide variety of industries, from jewelry to automotive and consumer goods.
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