Stronger, cheaper 3D-printed titanium

Stronger, cheaper 3D-printed titanium

Engineers from RMIT University in Australia have produced a new type of 3D-printed titanium that is about a third cheaper than commonly used titanium alloys. The team used readily available and cheaper alternative materials to replace the increasingly expensive vanadium. RMIT has filed a provisional patent on its innovative approach as the team considers commercial opportunities to develop the new low-cost approach for aerospace and medical device industries. RMIT’s Centre for Additive Manufacturing (RCAM) PhD candidate and study lead author Ryan Brooke says testing of the alloy shows improved strength and performance compared with standard 3D-printed titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V).  More information www.bit.ly/3V4U4Yt