How Much Does Metal 3D Printing Cost Per Gram? Una guida completa

Stampa 3D aerospaziale

Se stai esplorando Stampa 3D in metallo per prototipazione, produzione, or specialized projects, Una delle prime domande che farai è: 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

IL materiale 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 di materialeGradi comuniFascia di prezzo (RMB/grammo)Caratteristiche chiaveApplicazioni tipiche
Acciaio inossidabile304, 316l0.5 ~ 2Economico, elevata resistenza meccanicaParti industriali, utensili, beni di consumo
Lega di alluminioALSI10MG1 ~ 3Leggero, resistente alla corrosioneComponenti aerospaziali, parti automobilistiche
Lega di titanioTi6al4v5 ~ 15Ultra-Light, alta resistenza, biocompatibileImpianti medici, parti critiche aerospaziali
Cobalt-Chromium AlloyCoucr3 ~ 8Alta durezza, resistente all'usuraCorone dentali, biomedical devices
Lega a base di nichelIncontro 6254 ~ 10Resistenza ad alta temperatura, resistente alla corrosioneExtreme environment parts (PER ESEMPIO., motori a reazione)

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. Purezza, dimensione delle particelle, E processo di produzione 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 afnio O rhenium (used in advanced aerospace) può costare tens of RMB per gram due to limited supply and complex extraction.

(2) 3D Printing Process Type

Different processes have varying equipment, manutenzione, and efficiency costs, which trickle down to the cost per gram:

Nome del processoLivello di precisioneLivello di costo (contro. SLM)Meglio per
Filting laser selettivo (SLM)Alto100% (benchmark)Piccolo, parti ad alta precisione (PER ESEMPIO., medico)
Filting del raggio di elettrone (EBM)Medio80–90%Large or complex structures (PER ESEMPIO., aerospaziale)
Binder gettaturaBasso medio50–60%Alto volume, parti a basso costo (PER ESEMPIO., hardware)

(3) In parte complessità

Complex geometries require more support materials and post-processing, increasing the effective cost per gram:

  • A simple block-shaped part (Nessun supporto, post-elaborazione minimo) may cost the same as the raw material price (PER ESEMPIO., 0.5–2 RMB/gram for stainless steel).
  • A part with internal channels, pareti sottili (<1mm), or hollow designs can double the cost per gram—due to extra support material waste and 2–3x more post-processing time.

(4) Requisiti di post-elaborazione

Metal 3D printed parts rarely come “ready-to-use.” Processes like support removal, levigatura, 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 (PER ESEMPIO., skipping polishing for non-visible parts) can reduce costs by 10–15%.

(5) Volume dell'ordine

Batch size has a huge impact on cost per gram, as it spreads fixed costs (equipment setup, spreco di materiale) across more parts:

  • Piccoli lotti (dozens of parts): Higher cost per gram—e.g., stainless steel parts may cost 1.5–2 RMB/gram (contro. 0.5–1 RMB/gram for large batches).
  • Grandi lotti (thousands of parts): 30–50% discount on cost per gram. Per esempio, lega di alluminio (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. Per esempio, lega di 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:

MaterialeDensità (g/cm³)Part Weight (G)Costo al grammo (RMB)Total Part Cost (RMB)
Acciaio inossidabile 3047.9~790.5 ~ 239.5 ~ 158
Lega di alluminio alsi10mg2.7~271 ~ 327 ~ 81
In lega di titanio ti6al4v4.5~ 455 ~ 15225 ~ 675
Cobalt-Chromium Alloy CoCr8.3~833 ~ 8249 ~ 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:

  1. Ottimizza la progettazione delle parti: Remove unnecessary complex features (PER ESEMPIO., oversize internal channels) to cut support material use by 30–40%.
  2. 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.
  3. Combine orders: Partner with other businesses to pool small orders into a large batch (thousands of parts) and get a 30–50% discount.
  4. Work with domestic suppliers: Avoid international shipping and duties by choosing local suppliers—saving 30–50% on total costs.
  5. Simplify post-processing: Skip non-essential steps (PER ESEMPIO., polishing for internal, non-visible surfaces) to reduce post-processing costs by 10–15%.

Yigu Technology’s Perspective on Metal 3D Printing Cost

Alla tecnologia Yigu, 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 (PER ESEMPIO., 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. Man mano che l'industria si evolve, we expect binder jetting technology to drive further cost reductions, making metal 3D printing more accessible for mid-volume production.

Domande frequenti

  1. Why is titanium alloy 3D printing so expensive per gram?

Lega di titanio (PER ESEMPIO., Ti6al4v) is expensive because its powder requires high purity (99.8%+), complex production processes (PER ESEMPIO., gas atomization), and it is biocompatible and high-strength—making it ideal for high-end medical and aerospace applications where performance cannot be compromised.

  1. 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. Per grandi lotti (thousands of parts) and simple designs, the effective cost can drop to 0.5–0.8 RMB per gram.

  1. How much does post-processing add to the cost per gram?

Post-processing typically adds 10–30% to the total cost. Per esempio, 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.

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