In September 2020, the metal 3D printing super aluminum alloy powder material developed by Airbus is already on sale in China! Previously, this high-performance material was listed on the restricted export list. It is more difficult to buy in the Chinese market.
Scalmalloy is a patented high-strength aluminum alloy developed by Airbus Group Innovation Center for more than ten years and commercialized by APWORKS in 2014. Mainly used in aerospace applications, its high strength and low density characteristics make it suitable for topology optimized structures designed for weight reduction. Scalmalloy® is the world's first material specifically developed for additive manufacturing processes. Due to its high cooling rate and rapid solidification characteristics, it has a unique microstructure and remains stable at high temperatures. Compared with other aluminum alloy powders, it has extremely high fatigue properties, weldability, strength and ductility, which makes it particularly suitable for aerospace, transportation and defense applications.
Scalmalloy® is a mixed powder of aluminum, magnesium and scandium, with excellent mechanical properties. Although the density of the material is relatively low, 2.67 g/cm3, it can still maintain high tensile strength (520 MPa) and yield strength (480 MPa). It also has excellent ductility, with a Young's modulus of 70 GPa and an elongation at break of 13%. The alloy has natural corrosion resistance and exhibits high microstructure stability during heat aging. Users may be able to manufacture parts that were previously impossible with traditional methods, especially prototypes and functional components that are lighter but still very durable.
Scalmalloy® combines the essence of the two "worlds" of titanium and aluminum. The carburizing alloy has excellent material properties, excellent weldability, excellent corrosion resistance, excellent (low) thermal expansion coefficient, and a high temperature of 250° C has a very stable microstructure at high temperatures, excellent characteristics of conventional processing technology, and excellent application of various conventional anodizing processes. Scalmalloy® alloy has a high strength-to-weight ratio, which can reduce the weight of parts. Compared with traditionally designed and manufactured parts, products printed with Scalmalloy® have extremely high added value. (Hyperlink Scalmalloy® TDS)
Scalmalloy® application field-aerospace
According to forecasts, the global commercial aircraft market will be worth US$6 trillion by 2035. Based on the advantages of Scalmalloy®, aircraft manufacturers began to switch to aluminum alloys, mainly because of reduced costs. For example, the Airbus A320 aircraft developed and designed 3D printed cabin isolation structures. The structure uses Scalmalloy®, and the entire 3D printed cabin isolation structure is 45% lighter (30 kg) than before. And Airbus uses Scalmalloy® for bionic design, exploring how to save aircraft weight by simulating the super structure of water lilies, and finding inspiration from the jaws of fish to improve the design of torsion springs.
Case-Aerospace-Bionic diaphragm
Case-Aerospace-Satellite Panel
Case-Aerospace-Bracket
Scalmalloy® application field-automotive
For decades, additive manufacturing has had a profound impact on aerospace and automotive applications. Luxury car manufacturers such as BMW and Rolls Royce have been using the AM process to make prototypes and various parts. In July 2020, Scalmalloy® has passed the F1 certification of the International Automobile Sports Federation (FIA) and Formula 1. The innovation of 3D printing in the field of racing is particularly impressive and exciting. By using this aluminum-magnesium-scandium alloy, the F1 racing team will have a world-class and even unparalleled car.
Case-Car-Racing Winglet
Case-Automotive-Heat Exchanger
Case-Automotive-Brake Calipers
Scalmalloy® application field-other
APWORKS has printed the world's first bionic electric motorcycle LightRider using Scimalloy® super-strong aluminum alloy material. Its strength is no less than that of ordinary motorcycles, but its weight is only 35kg.
As a global leading material research and development company Heraeus (Airbus authorized Scimalloy® manufacturer) strategic partner in China, SHHZ provides high-quality raw materials for all Chinese high-end manufacturing users, including titanium alloys, aluminum alloys and high-temperature alloys. Additive manufacturing powders, including high-performance alloys, are committed to helping industrial users continue to maintain technological leadership in technological innovation, and work together to explore the application of high-performance materials in the field of additive manufacturing.