New Nonexplosible Al Powder from Equispheres

A nonexplosible aluminum-alloy additive manufacturing (AM) feedstock developed by Equispheres Inc. reportedly reduces the hazards associated with day-to-day handling of materials. NExP-1 is designed for production printing of aluminum part, maintaining the ability to produce high-quality prints at high throughput rates, but is dust-free and characterized as nonexplosible per ASTM E1226, Standard Test Method for Explosibility of Dust Clouds, according to Equispheres officials. Also, it is noncombustible, per the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part 3, Subsection 33.2.1. for flammable solids, note the officials. 

Equispheres has developed recommended parameters for printing the material, currently available in AlSi10Mg, and is targeting several end-use applications. Because the material significantly reduces the hazards of day-to-day handling without sacrificing printed-part quality, according to company officials, it could reduce the barriers to industrialization of 3D printing and allow the process to integrate more easily into AM facilities. 

See also: Equispheres

Technologies:

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