Sintering

Sintering is a process step that is often used in metal 3D printing technologies to give powder components their final strength. This process results in a solid structure that is often highly dense.

How does sintering work in 3D printing?

• Powder-based process: A thin powder is applied in layers and partially fused using heat (e.g. laser beam, see SLM) or binders.
• Post-treatment: Subsequent heat treatment (oven sintering) is often necessary to give the components their final strength.
• For plastic-based sintering processes, see SLS.

Advantages

• Homogeneous material: components are stable and have hardly any air inclusions.
• High precision: very intricate shapes are possible.

Typical applications

• Metal and ceramic parts for the aerospace and automotive industries.
• Prototypes and small series requiring complex geometries.