Advanced materials for additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM), especially known as 3D printing, depends on materials. If we do not have the appropriate materials, it can only be making bricks without straw even with the advanced 3D printer. Therefore, the main development direction of additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing, is using new special consumables materials. 3D printing is relatively easy to metals and difficult to high strength alloys, 3D printing is relatively more difficult to some ceramics, and may be harder to the nano ceramics. To solve the problems of 3D printing materials, such as limited properties and applications, some new nano modifier 3D printing materials are prepared. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), microhardness and friction and wear tests are used to characterize the obtained NiCrAlY, WC-10Co-4Cr and ceramic powders and coatings. The results show that the optimized process can be used to prepare the nano modifier materials successfully. The coatings have high bonding strength and good wear resistance. Nano-modification and nanostructured spherical particles powder makes it possible for the preparation of high strength alloy materials even nano ceramic materials through 3D printing.