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Materials
Materials for additive manufacturing
Material selection is critical to the performance of additive manufacturing. In polymer-based applications, the focus is on powders for Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), functionalized filaments, and granulates for large-scale processes such as LAAM. In metal additive manufacturing, metal filaments, powders for powder bed–based processes, and wires for laser metal deposition are utilized. Through innovative material developments, we create new opportunities for sustainable and efficient applications.
Competencies
Material development across material classes
Formulation and alloy development
Processing of different semi-finished products (powder, granulate, filament, wire, sheet)
Production of metal powders
Production of filaments and plastic compounds
Material and component analysis
Materials overview
Metallic lightweight construction materials
Metallic lightweight materials
The combination of lightweight materials with additive manufacturing opens up innovative possibilities for industry. Our expertise covers a wide range of metallic lightweight materials, including aluminum and titanium alloys as well as titanium aluminides.
We provide requirement-specific advice on which additive manufacturing methods and heat treatment processes are required to achieve the desired material properties.
Our focus is on material development and the optimization of product design for modern lightweight alloys. Using state-of-the-art simulation and AI-supported methods, we determine optimal process parameters and check the scalability of specific materials for innovative manufacturing processes such as laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M) and direct energy deposition (DED-LB/M).
High performance alloys
High Performance Alloys
Thanks to our many years of experience in additive manufacturing, we specialize in the printing of crack-free and low-stress metallic high-performance alloys. Our expertise covers a wide range of materials, including iron-based, nickel-based and cobalt alloys as well as non-weldable materials.
In-situ alloying, combined with thermal monitoring of the process, allows us the flexibility to develop customized compositions and optimal process control. Our advanced technology ensures the production of components with outstanding mechanical properties and high resistance to corrosion and oxidation.
Hard metals
Through the use of standard additive manufacturing processes and sintering-based processes, NMB can print various hard metals with high wear resistance without cracking.
Our technologies make it possible to process reinforcement particles in various forms, including not only spherical but also secondary raw materials. We ensure a homogeneous distribution of the reinforcement particles with a controlled melting behavior. In this way, we ensure that our printed carbides meet the highest requirements for hardness and wear protection.
Plastic powder for the SLS process
Metal and plastic powder
Powder is a key material form in additive manufacturing. We possess comprehensive expertise in both metals and polymers, covering material development as well as process control.
In polymer additive manufacturing, our focus is on the additivation and formulation of commercially available powder materials. Within the SLS demonstration factory, we optimize industrial processes through targeted material modifications, enhancing the performance and process robustness of existing materials.
In metal additive manufacturing, our core competencies lie in the production of tailor‑made metal powders and in process control for powder bed fusion processes (LPBF). Our expertise includes the development, characterization, and qualification of powders, as well as the optimization of printing strategies. Through precise analysis of particle properties and aging effects, combined with the use of digital tools, we enable stable and reproducible manufacturing.
FFF with potential - functionalized filaments and precise process control for demanding applications.
Filaments
Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is often associated with basic applications in additive manufacturing, but offers far more potential. Our research focus is on the development and production of tailor-made filaments and their optimized processing. Through targeted material formulations and additive strategies, we enhance mechanical properties, temperature resistance, and processability – meeting the highest industrial standards. Our material portfolio ranges from neat polymer filaments to metal‑filled and functionalized filaments.
Granulate makes LAAM efficient - through customized materials and stable processes.
Granules
Granules offer a cost-efficient and versatile alternative to filament and powder, especially in Large Area Additive Manufacturing (LAAM). Its good availability and the possibility of using customized material formulations are major advantages. We address challenges such as process stability, material properties and additivation through material and process qualifications as well as customized material compounds to enable reliable and efficient production.