Metal 3D Printing Materials

Engineering-grade metal powders for functional prototypes and end-use parts, including stainless steel, tool steel, cobalt chrome, nickel superalloys, aluminum, titanium, copper alloys and refractory metals.

Available Metal 3D Printing Materials

Choose material families based on strength, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, conductivity, weight and application environment.

AlSi7Mg, AlSi10Mg, AlSi12, 6061, 7075

Lightweight materials for brackets, housings, robotics and heat dissipation parts.

TA1, TC4, TC11, TA15, TA19, TC31

High strength-to-weight ratio with excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility.

CuCrZr, CuSn10, GRcop-42, GRcop-84

High thermal and electrical conductivity for cooling and heat transfer structures.

304, 316L, 17-4PH, 15-5PH

Corrosion-resistant, durable and cost-effective for functional metal parts.

18Ni300, S136, H13

High hardness and wear resistance for tooling, molds and conformal cooling inserts.

CoCrMo, CoCrW, CoCrMoW

Wear-resistant and biocompatible for dental, medical and high-friction components.

GH4169, GH3625, GH3536, GH3230

High-temperature strength for aerospace, turbines, combustion and energy systems.

W, Mo, Ta, Nb

Specialized high-melting-point metals for extreme heat and vacuum environments.

Choose by Part Requirement

Material selection starts with function: load, temperature, corrosion, conductivity, weight, tolerance and finishing requirements.

Corrosion Resistance

For moisture, chemicals, body fluids or outdoor environments.

High Strength

For load-bearing components, fixtures and structural parts.

Lightweight Design

For brackets, drones, robotics and aerospace structures.

High Temperature

For hot-end components, turbines and combustion systems.

Heat Transfer

For cooling channels, heat exchangers and thermal management.

Medical Use

For brackets, drones, robotics and aerospace structures.

Metal Material Comparison

A fast engineering view to narrow down possible materials before detailed review, quotation and printability analysis.

Material Strength Corrosion Resistance Heat Resistance Conductivity Lightweight Cost Level
Stainless Steel Medium to High High Medium Low Medium Medium
Tool Steel High Medium Medium to High Low Low Medium
Cobalt Chrome High High Medium to High Low Low High
Nickel Superalloys High High High Low Low High
Aluminum Alloys Medium Medium Medium Medium to High High Medium
Titanium Alloys High High Medium to High Low High High
Copper Alloys Medium Medium Medium to High High Medium High
Refractory Metals High High Very High Varies Low High

From Material Review to Finished Part

Most industrial metal parts are produced using laser powder bed fusion processes such as SLM, DMLS or LPBF, followed by suitable finishing.

Material Review

Review part function, load, temperature, corrosion and finish requirements.

Printability Check

Evaluate wall thickness, internal channels, overhangs, supports and distortion risk.

Metal Printing

Manufacture parts layer by layer using optimized metal powder parameters.

Post-Processing

Support removal, stress relief, heat treatment, HIP, CNC machining and polishing.

Industries Using Metal 3D Printing Materials

Metal additive manufacturing is useful for complex geometry, internal channels, lightweight design, rapid iteration and low-volume production.

Aerospace

Titanium, aluminum and nickel superalloys for brackets, ducts and hot-end parts.

Medical & Dental

Titanium, cobalt chrome and stainless steel for implants, surgical tools and custom devices.

Mold & Tooling

Tool steel for conformal cooling inserts, injection molds, die casting molds and tooling.

Automotive

Aluminum, stainless steel and tool steel for prototypes, fixtures and performance parts.

Energy & Power

Nickel superalloys, copper alloys and refractory metals for turbines and heat exchangers.

Electronics & Thermal

Copper and aluminum alloys for heat sinks, cooling plates and compact thermal structures.

FAQ

What materials can be used for metal 3D printing?

Common metal 3D printing materials include stainless steel, tool steel, cobalt chrome, nickel superalloys, aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, copper alloys and refractory metals.

What is the best metal material for functional parts?

There is no single best material. Stainless steel is suitable for general parts, titanium for lightweight and medical uses, aluminum for lightweight structures, tool steel for molds, and nickel superalloys for high-temperature environments.

Which material is best for lightweight metal parts?

Aluminum alloys and titanium alloys are common choices. Aluminum is cost-effective and thermally conductive, while titanium provides a high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent corrosion resistance.

Can copper be 3D printed?

Yes. Copper alloys such as CuCrZr, CuSn10, GRcop-42 and GRcop-84 can be printed for heat exchangers, cooling channels, electrical components and thermal management parts.

Do metal 3D printed parts need post-processing?

Most metal 3D printed parts require post-processing such as support removal, stress relief, heat treatment, CNC machining, polishing, blasting, HIP or surface finishing.

How do I choose a material for my project?

Start with the part function, then consider strength, corrosion resistance, operating temperature, weight, conductivity, surface finish, tolerance and budget. Upload a CAD file for engineering evaluation.

Contact Us

Send us your CAD file, drawing or application requirements. Our engineering team will recommend a suitable material, printing process and post-processing solution.

We will contact you as soon as possible!