Application of 3D printing technology in dental industry
A new 3D printing tungsten alloy process is characterized by the use of high concentration of tungsten alloy powder (tungsten-nickel-iron, tungsten-nickel-copper) for component production and coating.
Tungsten alloy is famous for its excellent corrosion resistance and high thermal conductivity. Its high density reaches 19.3g/cm3, which is similar to gold. It is widely used in aluminum cooling mold casting, α and γ ray shielding in medical equipment, etc. But tungsten has a melting point of 3,400 ℃ and a Mohs hardness of 7.5, which makes it very difficult to manufacture. By 3D printing complex shapes, such as parts with curves and apertures, it is possible to replace parts currently made of specialized steel with tungsten alloys.
The higher the proportion of tungsten in the tungsten alloy, the better the resistance to molten aluminum, the higher the thermal conductivity; On the other hand, good ductility and machinability require a corresponding reduction in the tungsten ratio. Tungsten alloy products need to be adapted for specific applications." The new process adjusts the proportion according to the required application, producing pre-alloy powder with tungsten content ranging from 80% to 98.5%, nickel content ranging from 0.1% to 15%, iron or copper content ranging from 0.1% to 10%, and specific gravity ranging from 17% to 18.8g/cm3. In addition, it is necessary to determine the fluidity and particle size distribution of powder, thus developing the patented 3D printing technology of tungsten alloy.
