Deriving from the DISPAL® family of high-performance aluminium, the S220 AM is Sweden’s first aluminium alloy for Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) addictive manufacturing as being introduced by Gränges Powder Metallurgy headquartered in Stockholm. This alloy is quite similar to steel but one third its weight which makes it quite preferable for aerospace and automotive industries.
The material is supposed to possess good wear and friction properties because the silicon in it is evenly distributed in the matrix structure. S220 AM alloy is also bragged to be of low density and less coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE).
Linear technology and robotics might yield a large amount of temperature and the precision work can impose a high load on the material therefore a low CTE is extremely crucial for elements used in 3D printing. This product can also be used in optical applications around the space industry where a low CTE helps regulate high precision communication between large distances.
Greta D’Angelo, the Business Development Manager at Gränges Powder Metallurgy boasted, “I am not aware of any other alloy on the AM market that has such a low CTE. In the past, we had many success stories of customers replacing steel and carbon fibre applications with the conventional DISPAL S220. Now, we are excited to offer the same material for Additive Manufacturing, giving our customers the opportunity to take advantage of even more geometrical freedom in the design of their next-generation products.”
For more than 30 years Gränges Powder Metallurgy has been manufacturing aluminium powders and the Dispal S220 material was launched in the 1980s as a part of a large family of alloys, so with the new integration in the field of Additive Manufacturing, the company marks the beginning of a technological era.
The commercial marketing of DISPAL S220 AM powder has still not been achieved yet Gränges offers an Additive Manufacturing service through its network of trusted partners. This service encompasses the manufacturing of components, and support with part selection, development, engineering and quality services.
D’Angelo continued by saying, “We want to support our customers through the whole process, and deliver finished components of high quality, being that prototypes or serial production. We are aware that on boarding a new material can be a daunting process, especially for a new technology like AM, therefore we take care of that part for our customers so that they don’t have to worry about it.”
Gränges Powder Metallurgy is working hard enough to develop a wide range of both Addictive aluminium powders and specialised additively manufactured aluminium alloys. More alloys are rumoured to be in the storage facility and are expected to be launched before the end of the year.
Responses
