How Much Does Metal 3D Printing Cost Per Gram? Um guia completo

Impressão 3D aeroespacial

Se você está explorando Impressão 3D de metal para prototipagem, produção, or specialized projects, Uma das primeiras perguntas que você fará é: 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

O 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 materialGraus comunsFaixa de preço (RMB/grama)Principais recursosAplicações típicas
Aço inoxidável304, 316eu0.5 ~ 2Econômico, alta resistência mecânicaPeças industriais, ferramentas, bens de consumo
Liga de alumínioALSI10MG1 ~ 3Leve, resistente à corrosãoComponentes aeroespaciais, peças automotivas
Liga de titânioTi6al4v5 ~ 15Ultra-iluminado, alta resistência, BiocompatívelImplantes médicos, Peças críticas aeroespaciais
Cobalt-Chromium AlloyCoucr3 ~ 8Alta dureza, resistente ao desgasteCoroas dentárias, dispositivos biomédicos
Liga à base de níquelInconel 6254 ~ 10Resistência de alta temperatura, resistente à corrosãoPeças para ambientes extremos (Por exemplo, motores a jato)

2. 6 Key Factors That Impact Metal 3D Printing Cost Per Gram

Embora o custo do material defina a linha de base, outros fatores podem aumentar ou diminuir significativamente o custo final por grama. Vamos dividi-los com exemplos e comparações específicas:

(1) Material Quality & Rarity

Nem todos os pós metálicos são iguais. Pureza, tamanho de partícula, e processo de produção do pó afeta diretamente o preço:

  • Pó de aço inoxidável padrão (316eu) com 99.5% pureza custa ~0,5–2 RMB/grama.
  • Metais raros como háfnio ou rênio (usado em aeroespacial avançado) pode custar dezenas de RMB por grama devido à oferta limitada e extração complexa.

(2) 3D Printing Process Type

Diferentes processos têm equipamentos variados, manutenção, and efficiency costs, which trickle down to the cost per gram:

Nome do processoNível de precisãoNível de custo (vs.. Slm)Melhor para
Fusão seletiva a laser (Slm)Alto100% (benchmark)Pequeno, peças de alta precisão (Por exemplo, médico)
Fusão de feixe de elétrons (EBM)Médio80–90%Large or complex structures (Por exemplo, Aeroespacial)
Binder JettingBaixo médio50–60%Alto volume, peças de baixo custo (Por exemplo, hardware)

(3) Complexidade da parte

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

  • A simple block-shaped part (sem suportes, Pós-processamento mínimo) may cost the same as the raw material price (Por exemplo, 0.5–2 RMB/gram for stainless steel).
  • A part with internal channels, paredes finas (<1milímetros), or hollow designs can double the cost per gram—due to extra support material waste and 2–3x more post-processing time.

(4) Requisitos de pós-processamento

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

(5) Volume do pedido

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

  • Pequenos 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 exemplo, liga de alumínio (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 exemplo, liga de titânio (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:

MaterialDensidade (g/cm³)Part Weight (g)Custo por grama (RMB)Total Part Cost (RMB)
Aço inoxidável 3047.9~790.5 ~ 239.5 ~ 158
Liga de alumínio ALSI10MG2.7~271 ~ 327 ~ 81
Liga de titânio 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. Otimize o design da peça: Remove unnecessary complex features (Por exemplo, 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. Simplifique o pós-processamento: Skip non-essential steps (Por exemplo, polishing for internal, non-visible surfaces) to reduce post-processing costs by 10–15%.

Yigu Technology’s Perspective on Metal 3D Printing Cost

Na 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 (Por exemplo, 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. À medida que a indústria evolui, we expect binder jetting technology to drive further cost reductions, making metal 3D printing more accessible for mid-volume production.

Perguntas frequentes

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

Liga de titânio (Por exemplo, Ti6al4v) is expensive because its powder requires high purity (99.8%+), complex production processes (Por exemplo, 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, 316eu) 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.

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

Post-processing typically adds 10–30% to the total cost. Por exemplo, 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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