investment: [The Price of 3D Printing Metal Powder] Professional Analysis and Value Reflection

With the rapid development of metal additive manufacturing (3D printing), metal powder has become the focus of attention in the industry. Whether in aerospace, automotive manufacturing, mold-making, or medical implants, 3D printing metal powder is no longer a novelty but rather a core material driving the upgrading of industries.

Diagram illustrating vacuum-induced melting, inert gas atomization process
However, at the front lines of the market, one of the most frequently asked questions by customers remains: How much does a kilogram of 3D printing metal powder cost?
Today, we will delve into the pricing structure of metal powders from a professional perspective and analyze it in the context of various alloy systems.

1. Why is the price of metal powder for 3D printing so high?

Compared to traditional casting or metallurgical powder, the requirements for morphology, purity, and performance of additive manufacturing-grade metal powder are extremely high. The price reflects a comprehensive set of stringent technologies and processes:

1. Grinding process: true air atomization (VIGA), plasma rotating electrode (PREP), plasma balling, continuous nitrogen atomization (CIGA), and so on. Different processes directly determine the sphericity, oxygen content, and price.

2. Raw material purity: high-end alloy powder to choose high-purity metal ingot, impurities control to ppm level.
3. Testing and certification: Each batch of powder must undergo strict testing of particle size, oxygen / nitrogen content, SEM, etc. Some of them require aviation or medical grade certification.
4. Demand and volume: The unit price of small batches of customization is much higher than the scale of production; Military and aerospace have zero fault tolerance and stricter requirements.

 

II. Price range of common alloy powders

In order to more intuitively understand the market prices of different system powders, the following ranges can be referenced:

Metal Material Pricing for 3D Printing (Market Overview)

Note: The above chart cites "Metal 3D Powder Market Insight Daily Powdersight.com"

Aluminum-based powder (such as AlSi10Mg) is widely used in the 3D printing market, and the price range is 82-720 yuan / kg, with little fluctuation, and is a typical "cost-effective" player.
Zinc-based powder (such as Zn-27Al, Zn-4Al-0.04Mg) does not appear in the table, but the market is generally 130-350 yuan / kg, more suitable for low-cost, functional applications.
Titanium alloy, nickel based alloy unit price is the highest, mainly for high-end industries.
Stainless steel and mold steel are relatively affordable and are the most popular materials.

Oxygen content: aluminum alloy powder is usually required to ≤ 0.10wt.%, the lower the more expensive.
Globularity: > 95% to ensure mobility and shape quality.
Particle size distribution: 15-53 μm suitable for selective laser melting (SLM), 45-105 μm suitable for directed energy deposition (DED);The finer the screening, the higher the cost.
Process complexity: VIGA > CIGA;PREP powder has the best sphericity, but the highest price.

SEM picture of AlSi50 alloy powder

IV. How do businesses view "cheap" and "cheap"?

Many companies consider powders to be "expensive," but from a full life cycle perspective, the expensive is often more cost-effective:

Printing efficiency: High spherical powder reduces powdering defects and improves forming power.
Parts Performance: Low oxygen powder can maintain strength and toughness and avoid scrapping.
Certification value: Aviation / medical certified powders have a high unit price, but can bring a higher market premium.

Canister oxide powder
Therefore, the essence of the powder price is the combination of performance, yield and reliability, rather than the simple cost of procurement.

 

V. Future trends: lower or higher valuation?

Display of 3D printed items
The price of 3D printed metal powder is not just a number; it is a comprehensive reflection of the craftsmanship, quality, and value behind it.
For enterprises, the key is not to seek the "cheapest" type of powder but to choose the material that is most suitable for the specific application scenario.
Aoke New Materials has always adhered to the principle of empowering customers with high-quality powders and facilitating industrial upgrading at reasonable prices. Aoke New Materials is dedicated to providing customers with high-quality powders, reasonable prices, and comprehensive application support.

In the future, with the upgrading of milling technology and the improvement of the industrial chain, metal powders will enter a new era characterized by higher performance and even better cost-effectiveness.

Metal Powder factory supplier contact： leojim@mqtech1.com

Choose MQ-tech1 for a stable, reliable, customizable powder solution that makes your production more efficient!

💡Our strengths:

✅Process guarantee: VIGA, high purity nitrogen protection continuous atomization, high sphericity, low impurities.

✅ Stable quality: strict inspection, clear and controllable SEM morphology.

✅Flexible customization: meet your specific particle size, ingredient needs, and deliver quickly.

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