If you’re exploring impresión 3D de metales for prototyping, producción, or specialized projects, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: What’s the cost per gram? The answer depends on multiple factors—from material type to production volume—but this guide breaks down the key details to help you calculate and optimize expenses.
1. Cost Per Gram of Mainstream Metal 3D Printing Materials
El material is the most direct factor affecting the cost per gram of metal 3D printing. Below is a detailed comparison of common materials, their price ranges, and typical use cases:
| Tipo de material | Grados comunes | Price Range (RMB/gram) | Key Features | Aplicaciones típicas |
| Acero inoxidable | 304, 316l | 0.5 ~ 2 | Rentable, high mechanical strength | Piezas industriales, estampación, bienes de consumo |
| Aleación de aluminio | AlSi10Mg | 1 ~ 3 | Ligero, resistente a la corrosión | Componentes aeroespaciales, piezas automotrices |
| Titanium Alloy | Ti6Al4V | 5 ~ 15 | Ultraligero, alta resistencia, biocompatible | Implantes medicos, piezas críticas aeroespaciales |
| Cobalt-Chromium Alloy | CoCr | 3 ~ 8 | Alta dureza, resistente al desgaste | coronas dentales, biomedical devices |
| Nickel-Based Alloy | Inconel 625 | 4 ~ 10 | Resistencia a altas temperaturas, resistente a la corrosión | Extreme environment parts (p.ej., jet engines) |
2. 6 Key Factors That Impact Metal 3D Printing Cost Per Gram
While material cost sets the baseline, other factors can significantly raise or lower the final cost per gram. Let’s break them down with specific examples and comparisons:
(1) Material Quality & Rarity
Not all metal powders are the same. Purity, tamaño de partícula, y production process of the powder directly affect the price:
- Standard stainless steel powder (316l) con 99.5% purity costs ~0.5–2 RMB/gram.
- Rare metals like hafnium o rhenium (used in advanced aerospace) can cost tens of RMB per gram due to limited supply and complex extraction.
(2) 3D Printing Process Type
Different processes have varying equipment, maintenance, and efficiency costs, which trickle down to the cost per gram:
| Process Name | Nivel de precisión | Cost Level (vs. SLM) | Mejor para |
| Fusión selectiva por láser (SLM) | Alto | 100% (benchmark) | Pequeño, piezas de alta precisión (p.ej., médico) |
| Fusión por haz de electrones (MBE) | Medio | 80–90% | Large or complex structures (p.ej., aeroespacial) |
| Chorro de aglutinante | Low-Medium | 50–60% | Alto volumen, piezas de bajo costo (p.ej., hardware) |
(3) Part Complexity
Complex geometries require more support materials and post-processing, increasing the effective cost per gram:
- A simple block-shaped part (sin soportes, minimal post-processing) may cost the same as the raw material price (p.ej., 0.5–2 RMB/gram for stainless steel).
- A part with internal channels, paredes delgadas (<1milímetros), or hollow designs can double the cost per gram—due to extra support material waste and 2–3x more post-processing time.
(4) Post-Processing Requirements
Metal 3D printed parts rarely come “ready-to-use.” Processes like support removal, lijado, and heat treatment add costs:
- For titanium alloy parts (Ti6Al4V), thermal stress relief (a necessary post-process for safety) can account for 20–30% of the total cost—raising the effective cost per gram from 5–15 RMB to 6–19.5 RMB.
- Simplified post-processing (p.ej., skipping polishing for non-visible parts) can reduce costs by 10–15%.
(5) Order Volume
Batch size has a huge impact on cost per gram, as it spreads fixed costs (equipment setup, desperdicio de materiales) across more parts:
- Pequeños lotes (dozens of parts): Higher cost per gram—e.g., stainless steel parts may cost 1.5–2 RMB/gram (vs. 0.5–1 RMB/gram for large batches).
- Grandes lotes (thousands of parts): 30–50% discount on cost per gram. Por ejemplo, aleación de aluminio (AlSi10Mg) drops from 2–3 RMB/gram to 1–1.8 RMB/gram.
(6) Supplier & Regional Differences
Domestic and international suppliers have significant price gaps:
- Domestic Chinese suppliers: Typically 30–50% cheaper than European or American suppliers. Por ejemplo, aleación de titanio (Ti6Al4V) costs 5–10 RMB/gram domestically vs. 10–15 RMB/gram overseas.
- Additional costs: International orders may include logistics (5–10% of total cost) and customs duties (3–8%), further increasing the effective cost per gram.
3. Real-World Cost Examples: 10cm³ Parts
To make the cost per gram more tangible, here’s how much a 10cm³ part (common for small components) costs with different materials:
| Material | Densidad (gramos/cm³) | Part Weight (g) | Cost Per Gram (RMB) | Total Part Cost (RMB) |
| Acero inoxidable 304 | 7.9 | ~79 | 0.5 ~ 2 | 39.5 ~ 158 |
| Aluminum Alloy AlSi10Mg | 2.7 | ~27 | 1 ~ 3 | 27 ~ 81 |
| Titanium Alloy Ti6Al4V | 4.5 | ~45 | 5 ~ 15 | 225 ~ 675 |
| Cobalt-Chromium Alloy CoCr | 8.3 | ~83 | 3 ~ 8 | 249 ~ 664 |
4. 5 Practical Tips to Reduce Metal 3D Printing Cost Per Gram
If you want to lower expenses without sacrificing quality, try these strategies:
- Optimize part design: Remove unnecessary complex features (p.ej., oversize internal channels) to cut support material use by 30–40%.
- Choose cost-effective materials: Replace high-cost metals with alternatives when possible—e.g., use stainless steel 316L instead of titanium alloy for non-biomedical, non-aerospace parts.
- Combine orders: Partner with other businesses to pool small orders into a large batch (thousands of parts) and get a 30–50% discount.
- Work with domestic suppliers: Avoid international shipping and duties by choosing local suppliers—saving 30–50% on total costs.
- Simplify post-processing: Skip non-essential steps (p.ej., polishing for internal, non-visible surfaces) to reduce post-processing costs by 10–15%.
Yigu Technology’s Perspective on Metal 3D Printing Cost
En Yigu Tecnología, we’ve observed that material selection and order volume are the two most impactful levers for cost optimization in metal 3D printing. Many clients initially overspecify materials (p.ej., using titanium for non-critical parts) or order small batches, leading to higher costs. Our team works with clients to match materials to actual performance needs—for example, recommending aluminum alloy AlSi10Mg for lightweight automotive parts instead of pricier options—and helps aggregate orders to unlock volume discounts. We also prioritize domestic supply chains, enabling clients to access high-quality metal 3D printing services at 30–40% lower costs than international providers. As the industry evolves, we expect binder jetting technology to drive further cost reductions, making metal 3D printing more accessible for mid-volume production.
Preguntas frecuentes
- Why is titanium alloy 3D printing so expensive per gram?
Titanium alloy (p.ej., Ti6Al4V) is expensive because its powder requires high purity (99.8%+), complex production processes (p.ej., gas atomization), and it is biocompatible and high-strength—making it ideal for high-end medical and aerospace applications where performance cannot be compromised.
- Can I get metal 3D printing for less than 1 RMB per gram?
Yes—stainless steel (304, 316l) is the most affordable option, with a cost per gram of 0.5–2 RMB. Para lotes grandes (thousands of parts) and simple designs, the effective cost can drop to 0.5–0.8 RMB per gram.
- How much does post-processing add to the cost per gram?
Post-processing typically adds 10–30% to the total cost. Por ejemplo, titanium parts need thermal stress relief (20–30% of total cost), while stainless steel parts may only need basic support removal (5–10% of total cost). The more complex the post-processing, the higher the effective cost per gram.