CROZET, Va., Feb. 28, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Industry analyst firm SmarTech Publishing has just issued a new report that examines the current market for aluminum alloys in additive manufacturing (AM). SmarTech expects the market for aluminum alloys in AM to become a major segment in metal 3D printing, with materials revenues alone topping $300 million by 2028.
The penetration of AM into global manufacturing industries for higher batch production also carries along a shift from high-cost/top performance alloys such as titanium and nickel superalloys toward more affordable materials that can still offer adequate performance in larger batches. Aluminum is expected to be among the key materials in the shift toward larger batch production of mass goods.
Additional details of the report titled, “Markets for Aluminum Alloys in Additive Manufacturing: 2018 To 2028” are available at: https://www.smartechpublishing.com/product/markets-aluminum-alloys-additive-manufacturing-2018-2028/
About the Report:
In this new report, SmarTech Publishing maps and quantifies the use of aluminum alloys in AM. The report differentiates between alloys that were originally developed for die-casting applications (and are now being optimized for AM) and a new family of AM-specific alloys such as the popular new Scalmalloy supplied by APWorks (Airbus) and its global partners. The report further breaks down its analysis and forecasts to specific alloy aluminum alloy families (Al7xxx, Al6xxx, Al2xxx and even AL1xxx) that leading companies are using or developing for AM applications.
Leveraging its extensive and growing database of AM technologies and AM materials, SmarTech Publishing precisely breaks down the Aluminum AM landscape into major applications driving the use of aluminum alloys such as Aerospace, Automotive, AM Service Bureaus, Oil &Gas, Consumer Products, Medical and Jewelry and the specific applications for which first adopters have demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of the AM process.
By conducting interviews with major stakeholders and adopters in the global markets for AM and aluminum, the specifics of technological and material science evolutions are further analyzed throughout this study and culminate in the most up-to-date market forecast projections specific to aluminum-based additive manufacturing processes. SmarTech Publishing is pleased to present the only comprehensive market research guide to one of the most interesting areas of additive manufacturing.
- Ten-year aluminum AM opportunity and market data forecasts in volume and value terms: Material consumption by hardware technology, adoption market segment, application and alloy type
- Analysis and description of all major AM technologies (present and expected to be available soon) for processing aluminum alloys
- A detailed description of the most significant stakeholders in the aluminum alloy AM market including material suppliers and major adopters
- The latest competitive analysis to reflect the rapidly evolving landscape in which major global aluminum AM users are now increasingly interfacing directly with material suppliers.
From the Report:
Corporate interest in aluminum powder for additive manufacturing is at an all-time high.
Aluminum alloys such as Aluminum Silicon (AlSiMg) are used almost exclusively for prototyping and tooling. However, aluminum is expected to be among the key materials in the shift toward larger batch production of mass goods.
The widespread use of design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) practices is expected to play a major role in the growing adoption of aluminum alloys.
The high thermal conductivity of aluminum and its alloys makes them notoriously difficult to cast and weld. For laser melting, things get even worse. Aluminum powders are inherently light and have a poor flowability during recoating. They are also highly reflective and have a high thermal conductivity when compared to other materials.
Aluminum alloys are expected to become relevant in particular for production of parts in the civil aviation industry (general and commercial aviation).
Demand for metal additive manufacturing systems in the broader automotive industry is increasing thanks primarily to acceptance of printed metal tooling for indirect manufacturing of traditional automotive components, as well as research and development projects for printed aluminum alloys.
Overall requirements for additive metal powders, regardless of metal type or specific AM process used, include purity, flowability, porosity, and batch consistency.
Laser-based PBF systems are more widely utilized globally today for Aluminum Alloys and are supported by at least 11 manufacturers worldwide, although possibly more at a regional level.
Although MIM has worked very well for many decades for a wide range of metals and alloys, the process has always proved to be unsuitable for aluminum. However, researchers at the Technical University Vienna (TU Wien) have recently succeeded in developing a Powder Injection Molding process for aluminum which can be used to manufacture complex-shaped, weight saving components in a material-efficient manner.
For reactive materials such as aluminum, atomization and packaging has to be performed in a protective atmosphere. In all known processes for the production of aluminum powder, inert gas is used to preserve the spherical shape of the particles. Atomization in air leads to an immediate partial oxidation of the liquid material and prevents the liquid metal from transforming into spherical shape making the powder unsuitable for additive manufacturing processes.
Aluminum has proven historically challenging to additively manufacture—leading the development of materials to head in two different directions. One is the AM qualification of aluminum alloys developed for die-cast applications, the other is the development of new aluminum-based high-performance alloys that can leverage the advantages of AM processes in terms of geometry.
The most significant potential opportunity for the future resides in Scalmalloy-like alloys, which can be used for cost-effective production of high-strength, weight optimized, end-use, functional parts in aerospace and automotive. SmarTech Publishing expects that over the course of the next decade specialty aluminum alloys will overtake die-cast alloys for powder bed fusion AM processes.
Competition in the market specifically for aluminum AM powder is intensifying although most major specialized AM powder manufacturers do not yet provide it. SmarTech Publishing expects that within the next two years several major AM powder providers and hardware suppliers will begin offering or will be readying to offer aluminum alloy powders for AM.
About SmarTech Publishing:
Since 2013 SmarTech Publishing has published reports on all the important revenue opportunities in the 3D printing/additive manufacturing sector and is considered the leading industry analyst firm providing coverage of this sector.
Our company has a client roster that includes the largest 3D printer firms, materials firms and investors. We have also published reports on most of the important revenue opportunities in the 3D printing sector including personal printers, low-volume manufacturing, 3D printing materials, medical/dental applications, aerospace, automotive, and other promising 3D market segments.
To Purchase this Report:
missy@smartechpublishing.com
Press Contact:
Robert Nolan
rob@smartechpublishing.com
804-938-0030
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2517de49-74c6-45b0-a70d-1a038d34d176