Metal powders for 3D printing are a special type of metallic powder material used in 3D printing technology, primarily for manufacturing complex geometric shapes of metal parts. These metal powders are used to construct three-dimensional objects by layer-by-layer melting of the powder material, and they are widely applied in aerospace, medical, automotive, and other fields.
The preparation methods for 3D printing metal powders include Plasma Spheroidization (PS), Plasma Rotating Electrode Atomization (PREP), Plasma Melt Wire Atomization (PA), and Gas Atomization (GA). Gas atomization refers to the process of using inert gas to cool molten metal or alloy liquid to produce finished products, which can be further divided into Electrode Induction Melting Atomization (EIGA) and Vacuum Induction Melting Atomization (VIGA). The gas atomization method has advantages such as high technological maturity, high production efficiency, and high yield of finished products, making it suitable for large-scale production and the mainstream preparation method for 3D printing metal powders.
According to the “Deep Market Research and Investment Strategy Recommendations Report on China’s 3D Printing Metal Powder Industry” published by the He Shi Consulting Research Center, the global market size for 3D printing metal powders reached 3.136 billion RMB in 2023, and it is expected to reach 10.539 billion RMB by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.7%.
As various industries adopt 3D printing technology, market demand continues to increase, driving the expansion of the market size. 3D printing technology has significant advantages in improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing design flexibility, especially in the production of complex structural parts.
Major producers of 3D printing metal powders in China include AVIC Metal, Yuyuan Powder Materials, Plarite, Dingli Technology, Fei’er Kang, and Weilai New Materials. AVIC Metal focuses on the research, production, and sales of 3D printing metal powders for aerospace applications, with an annual production capacity of nearly 800 tons, ranking first in the industry in China.
Industry analysts from He Shi Consulting indicate that the 3D printing metal powder market will continue to grow in the coming years, driven mainly by technological advancements, cost reductions, and the increasing demand for efficient and flexible manufacturing across various industries.
