Titanium and its alloys
In the energy business, titanium and titanium alloys are two of the most common materials utilized for metal 3D printing. Titanium is a great material since it is light, strong, and resistant to corrosion. The benefits of titanium and titanium alloys are fully used in the energy sector, especially in aerospace energy equipment (like aircraft engine blades, satellite solar panel brackets, and more) and marine energy equipment (like some important parts of deep-sea oil drilling platforms).
For example, aviation engine blades need to be able to handle harsh conditions like high temperature, high pressure, and high-speed rotation while they are running. Titanium alloy is strong enough at high temperatures to keep the blades from bending or breaking. Its low density also helps make the engine lighter and more fuel-efficient. Laser or electron beam can melt titanium alloy powder during the process of metal 3D printing. The powder can then be piled layer by layer to make complicated blade shapes. This way of making things can improve the design of the blades' internal cooling channels, make the cooling effect better, and make the blades work better and last longer.
Superalloy made of nickel
Nickel-based high-temperature alloys are another important metal used in the energy industry. It can work steadily for a long period in high-temperature conditions exceeding 600 °C, and it has great strength, resistance to corrosion, and resistance to oxidation. Nickel-based high-temperature alloys are often utilized to make important parts like turbine blades and combustion chambers in thermal power plants' gas and steam turbines.
A gas turbine's combustion chamber gets quite hot when it is running, and the turbine blades have to deal with a lot of centrifugal force and heat stress. Nickel-based high-temperature alloys have high-temperature strength and resistance to oxidation, which means that blades can work normally in these extreme conditions and last longer. With metal 3D printing technology, turbine blades with complicated interior cooling structures may be made. This makes the blades even better at cooling and performing well at high temperatures. Nickel-based high-temperature alloys are also used to make several important parts of nuclear reactors, including fuel cladding tubes, that can handle high temperatures, pressures, and radiation.
steel that doesn't rust
Stainless steel is strong, resistant to corrosion, and easy to work with. It is used a lot in the energy business. When extracting oil and gas, stainless steel is often utilized to make things like pipelines, valves, flanges, and other equipment. These devices need to be in contact with corrosive materials for a long time. Stainless steel's ability to resist corrosion helps keep the equipment secure and stable while energy is being transmitted.
Metal 3D printing can make stainless steel parts with complicated shapes and internal structures that match the high-precision and unique needs of oil and gas equipment. For instance, some specific valve designs can be made with 3D printing that makes the valve's flow channels and sealing structures more complicated, which makes the valve work better and last longer. Stainless steel is also used to make structural parts for solar photovoltaics, including photovoltaic brackets, in addition to other things. The brackets will work well for a long time outside because they are quite strong and resistant to rust.
aluminum mix
Aluminum alloy is a useful material for making parts that need to be heavy and let heat escape since it is light, strong, and has good thermal conductivity. Aluminum alloy is often used to make parts for wind turbines, like blades and hubs, in the field of wind power generation. Aluminum alloy that is light can make wind turbines lighter, make tower structures less necessary, and make power generation more efficient.
Metal 3D printing can make aluminum alloy blades with complicated shapes and make them work better in the air. Also, aluminum alloy's high thermal conductivity can swiftly spread the heat from batteries in electronic equipment like battery heat sinks. This keeps the batteries safe and stable while they work. You can change the design and heat dissipation needs of the battery to make aluminum alloy heat sinks that work better at getting rid of heat.
Cobalt-based alloys are very resistant to wear, corrosion, and high temperatures. They are quite useful in several specialized areas of the energy industry. Cobalt-based alloys are often utilized to make drill bits and cones that don't wear out quickly in oil drilling instruments. The drill bit has to rub against hard things like rocks while it is drilling. Cobalt-based alloys are very resistant to wear, which can make the drill bit last longer and make drilling more efficient.
Cobalt-based alloys are also used to make parts for nuclear power plants that need to be able to handle high temperatures and radiation. Because it can withstand radiation and extreme temperatures, it can make sure that parts in nuclear reactors work reliably for a long time. Metal 3D printing technology can make cobalt-based alloy parts with complicated shapes that match the high-performance and bespoke needs of energy equipment.
https://www.china-3dprinting.com/metal-3d-printing/3d-print-metal-impellers.html