ExOne Announces Six New Alloys and Materials Providing Unique New Versatility and Strength

ExOne (NASDAQ:XONE) is known for their enormous versatility in 3D printing. The German company has a huge global presence and multiple facilities in the U.S. for continuing to broaden their offerings in the world of 3D printing supplies, materials and services to which include three-dimensional printing in sand, metal and glass, and laser micromachining. Famous for offering the largest 3D sand printer in the world, ExOne also has been over the years awarded millions of dollars for the research of both metal and glass 3D printing.

As the pioneers of nontraditional manufacturing, they keep the momentum charging ahead continually with new products and services. With their latest announcement, customers will be glad to have even more choices for 3D printing and creating complex designs and products with the addition of six new materials that are each special in their own right for offering unique new 3D printing opportunities.

New materials are developed and tested at any of their eight facilities, also known as worldwide production centers.

• Cobalt-Chrome (Co-Cr) is now being offered for manufacturing of items requiring ‘high-wear resistance.’ It is becoming more popular in the medical sector because of its superior strength, while traditionally used for aerospace, cutlery, bearings and blades. The Cobalt-Chrome alloy is very resistant and can handle high temperatures.
• IN Alloy 718 is another material used commonly in the aerospace industry, as well as the chemical and energy markets, IN Alloy 718 is also useful in making gas turbine blades, filtration devices, and heat exchanger and molding processes. The alloy is of great benefit because of its resistance to oxidation, corrosion, and extreme environments.
• Iron-Chrome-Aluminum is another excellent alloy, and is widely used in electrical furnace, electrical oven, home appliance, electrical heater and infrared settings.
• 17-4 Stainless Steel and 316 Stainless Steel are both new materials being offered for a wide variety of substantial and general uses which also include the automotive and medical industries for manufacturing of surgical tools, metallic filters, pumps, impellers and structural automotive parts. Both grades are known for their excellent mechanical and corrosion resistance properties and cost-effectiveness.
• Tungsten Carbide (WC), offering a melting point of 2770°C, is mainly used in the forging of extremely resistant abrasives like knives, drills and circular saws. This material is also used in metalworking, woodworking, mining, petroleum and construction.

“ExOne developed the latest printable materials for our binder jetting process as a result of our expanding customer development programs,” said Rick Lucas, ExOne’s Chief Technology Officer. “Utilization of these materials in ExOne’s machines will allow our customers to advance our binder jetting applications with their technologies. The diversity of this group of printable materials demonstrates the breadth of industries that ExOne touches, including the aerospace, automotive, energy, foundry and medical markets – broadening our addressable market.”

Previously at their eight facililities, after research and development, they have also qualified :

• 420 Stainless Steel infiltrated with bronze
• 316 Stainless Steel infiltrated with bronze
• Iron infiltrated with bronze
• IN Alloy 625
• Bronze
• Bonded tungsten
• Glass
• Silica sand and ceramic sand for indirect printing.

ExOne is known for their rigorous standards when it comes to supplying products and materials, and we’ve just reported on recent certifications they received as well in North Huntingdon, PA and Troy, MI, where they have been certified to ISO 9001:2008 standards as Industrial Additive Manufacturers.

Are you familiar with the concept of 3D printing with materials such as these new alloys being presented? Have you ever worked with a glass or metal 3D printer? Tell us about it in the ExOne Announces Six New Alloys and Materials forum over at 3DPB.com.