- Brass filament is a composite filament made from a solid powder mixed with plastic to form a filament
- In solid-based powder form, the material is brass – an alloy of copper and zinc.
- To the untrained eye, brass is similar-looking to bronze because of the existence of copper.
- The fact that brass and bronze may also contain small amounts of other elements like aluminum, manganese, silicon
- The pros to brass filament is that it looks great; it’s a dense material which makes the printed objects feel high-quality
- Some downsides- it has poor bridging characteristics, meaning any overhanging elements in your print are subject to collapse, and it is abrasive because of the brass particles suspended inside of the plastic matrix may abrade your printer’s nozzle
- Another issue is that The introduction of solid metal particles to PLA plastic can affect its durability & flexibility. A common problem you might experience with a print is that it’s both rigid and brittle
3D printing is the process of fabricating a three-dimensional object from digital, usually computer-aided design (CAD), computer model data. The 3D printer employs additive processes to generate an object. This means it builds up layers of material in different shapes, sequentially adding material until the object is created.
Some examples of 3D printed brass projects
Brass filament is a type of material used in 3D printing. It is made from a combination of copper and zinc, and has a similar appearance to gold. Brass is a strong metal that is resistant to corrosion, making it an ideal choice for applications where durability is important.
Brass filament can be used in a variety of different applications, including:
- Creating prototypes
- Making tools and parts
- Making jewelry
- Making 3D printed sculptures
Brass filament is available in a variety of different colors, including gold, silver, and bronze. It can also be found in a variety of different thicknesses, depending on the application.
When choosing brass filament for your 3D printer, it is important to consider the type of printer you are using. Some printers are not compatible with brass filament, so it is important to check with the manufacturer before purchasing any.
Brass filament is a great choice for applications where durability and strength are important. It is also an ideal material for creating prototypes and making tools and parts. If you are looking for a unique finish, brass filament is also available in a variety of different colors.
How it works
The 3D printer is then used to create a number of additional parts, in most cases by building upon previously built layers and adding more material.
What is 3d printing with brass?
3D printing with brass is an additive manufacturing process that creates objects by printing successive layers of powdered brass, which are fused together to form the desired shape via heat treatment, forming a solid structure.
3D printing with brass is faster than injection molding, and often used for smaller, more intricate parts that are difficult to fit into a furnace
What are the advantages of 3D printing with brass?
- Alloys: In general, alloys offer benefits over castings because they can be printed in larger volumes (several hundred to thousands of pieces per hour), without risk of distortion or warping. Alloys can also be printed in more complex geometries than their cast counterpart.
- Flexibility: In addition to being easy to manipulate, the alloy can be recycled, saving time and material. This allows for the creation of complex geometries that would otherwise require multiple castings, increasing costs and waste. The modularity of alloys allows for the design of larger products, as opposed to being constrained by mold dimensions and volume.
- Durability: Alloys offer inherent advantages over castings, like increased resistance to wear and tear, structural strength, and improved thermal conductivity. A stronger alloy can withstand greater forces than a weaker one.
- Reliability: In addition to being stronger, alloys are also less likely to break or shatter under stress. Though this reduced chance of failure is a positive attribute of alloys, it is more prevalent in the usage of low-alloy steels instead. Lower alloy steels have higher residual stresses, so pieces printed from them will generally have reduced reliability compared to other alloys.
Disadvantages of 3D printing with brass
- Long print times: While 3D printers can take up to 24 hours for a single print, high-performance printers can achieve speeds of 30–50 mm/minute on small parts and 10 mm/hour on larger items that require multiple layers and support structures. With this velocity, a human would be able to print a two-room house in half an hour. This makes 3D printing with brass difficult when dealing with large parts, as it requires manipulation of the heated alloy in its molten state before solidifying.
- The shorter printing times that 3D printers can achieve make them ideal for prototyping and direct manufacturing. However, the relatively high labor costs make them less cost-effective for pre-production prototyping and production than traditional machining processes.
- Safety: The molten alloy can burn if spilled, creating hazardous fumes. Because of the risk of fire, manufacturers often require printers to be placed inside a fume abatement enclosure.
- Invisibility: Due to their extensive use of powder, 3D printers using brass are comparatively more visible than other processes. Additionally, the process must be continually monitored while in use; a failing extrusion nozzle might not be detected until it breaks and spreads molten metal everywhere.
FAQs
What is additive manufacturing?
Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as “3D printing”, is the process of joining materials to make a three-dimensional object. In contrast, in traditional machining methods, solid materials are removed from a stock piece by cutting or drilling.
Unlike traditional machining methods, AM can produce parts with intricate designs that would be difficult with traditional tooling. This can drastically reduce production time and cost compared to traditional machining techniques.
Where can 3D printing with brass be used?
The broad range of applications for 3D printing with brass include: industrial parts, jewelry, accessories, sculptures and artistic designs. As a manufacturing method, 3D printing with brass is often used for prototype production and production-quality parts.
Other Uses of 3D printing with brass:
- Furniture: 3D printing with brass is used to create furniture pieces, cabinets, tables and other commercial products. The advantages of 3D printing with brass make it a good fit for mass-produced, environmentally friendly furniture. Because the printer requires less time and material to print than traditional manufacturing methods, it can be used to create products that are rooted in the environment. Additionally, the printer allows for lower labor costs than manufacturing by hand.
- Prototypes: 3D printing with brass makes it easy to create complex geometries that cannot be produced by extrusion casting. This is ideal for creating metal prototypes for 3D printers, as the printer can easily switch from one material to another, rather than having to wait for the previous material to fully cure before moving on.
- Jewelry: Because of its ability to create intricate geometries and designs, 3D printing with brass is often used in the creation of jewelry.
What materials are used in the process?
There are two types of industrial alloys used in 3D printing with brass: copper and steel. Each has its own specific properties and uses, making it ideal for different applications.
Copper alloy prints tend to last much longer without warping compared to steel prints, making them ideal for larger parts that require minimal maintenance. Steel prints, on the other hand, are ideal for smaller parts that are often used in complex rotating mechanisms.
What is the time frame for a print?
Depending on size, complexity and material, printing can take anywhere from several hours to days. The process begins by slicing a computer design into hundreds or thousands of horizontal layers.
The 3D printer then adds layer upon layer of molten metal to build the object from the bottom up one layer at a time. The process is extremely time-intensive and can take days or weeks, depending on print complexity and the size of the part.
What is the working environment?
3D printers used in brass additive manufacturing can be run in a wide variety of environments. Most commercial machines require printers to be placed in a fume abatement enclosure, which is an enclosed room with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter designed to remove chemical vapors and microscopic particles from the surrounding environment.
However, some machines are designed specifically to be used both indoors and outdoors.
Conclusion
3D printing with brass has become a popular choice for designers, manufacturers and hobbyists alike. 3D printing with brass is ideal for small-scale and large-scale projects that require intricate designs due to its high strength and durability.
Its low production costs make it ideal for prototyping, providing designers with the opportunity to experiment without the need to invest in expensive tooling initial runs.
Hello, my name’s Rush Chapman. I’m a 3D printing enthusiast. I started this site to help people choose 3D printing projects and select the best 3D printer for your needs, whether you’re a hobbyist or a pro!
