All You Need to Know About Alumide 3D Printing

Do you want to 3D print your parts, but can’t decide between polymers or metals? When it comes to 3D printing, there’s one material that combines the best of both worlds: alumide. This is an interesting option that involves combining polyamide (nylon) with aluminum powder, hence the name. It is compatible with selective laser sintering technology, and combines the design flexibility of nylon with the brilliance of aluminum in a single material. To find out more about this powder material and its use in additive manufacturing, read this comprehensive guide!

Properties of Alumide in 3D Printing

As mentioned, alumide is a powder material whose name comes from the combination of the words aluminum and polyamide. It is largely made from polyamide (nylon), with a smaller percentage of aluminum powder. Although aluminum gives it a matt, metallic surface with a subtle sheen, it also makes it more brittle than nylon. Among other properties, alumide is considerably stiffer and more porous than other materials used in 3D printing. What’s more, it can withstand much higher temperatures without deforming, unlike thermoplastics such as PLA, which tend to melt.

Photo Credits: Sculpteo

An SLS-compatible material, it follows the same manufacturing process as standard polyamide. In the 3D printer, a first layer of powder is deposited, which is then sintered by a laser. Then, another layer of powder is added, and the process is repeated successively to progressively create the object. In general, several parts can be produced in one printing process, depending on their size. This process is followed by manual post-processing, during which an operator recovers the parts to clean them before any finishing work.