Titanium (DMLS)

3D objects printed using Sculpteo’s Titanium 6AI-4V are created from a fine metal powder composed mainly of Titanium (88-90%), Aluminum (5.50-6.5%) and Vanadium (3.50-4.50%). This is grade 5, 6Al-4V Titanium. Titanium-based alloys are very hard and highly resistant to oxidation and acid. The melting point is extremely high (1660° C or 3260° F). It also has a very low toxicity, which means it can be used in many ways. 3D printing with titanium is very precise thanks to the resolution of the laser and the thinness of each layer of powder (30 to 40 µm). With a density of 4.41g/cm3 the material is lightweight but has excellent mechanical characteristics.

“3D printing of titanium is carried out by laser fusion; there are currently two technologies: DMLS and SLM. We use DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) on EOS M280 and M290 machines to print titanium. In these two techniques, the laser beam locally brings the metal powder to its melting point, to create your object layer after layer.

As titanium is fused at more than 1600° C, metal additive manufacturing requires great technical expertise for the pre-study of the thermal and mechanical effects before the 3D print, and excellent knowledge of the finishing techniques for the completion of the object. “