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would they exceed 5000 psi in compression? and what drives the cost up? I noticed they have a steel clay. Is that real (ish) steel and could it be made for unde

would they exceed 5000 psi in compression? and what drives the cost up? I noticed they have a steel clay. Is that real (ish) steel and could it be made for under $5 per pound (as a bulk material)?

Kliment 13y ago
The process is expensive because it's a very low volume product and it's a heterogenous mixture that needs to be stored and processed without separating, rather than an alloy. It has been possible to print with metal clay for a very long time, with every paste extrusion setup made so far, the major problem is material cost and firing. I don't expect an object made with metal clay to handle 5000psi in compression, but it might be possible with some clever geometry. The major issue with metal clay is that is behaves like clay in many ways, severely limiting geometry that can be fired without breaking. You can think of it as very high viscosity solder paste.
- davidHartkop 13y ago
  True, I don't think anybody will be printing toaster ovens this way. The plastic/elastic properties of metal does make metal parts printed this way quite different in performance from parts printed in plastic. Not to mention the temp. ratings. Purity stamp for silver PMC after firing is 99.9%
na85 13y ago
Steel clays need to be fired in an oxygen-free environment or you'll have major oxidation problems. I don't realistically see this ever becoming a thing. >5000 psi Possibly. Again, it depends on the metal you use. With the right steel or aluminum alloy I could imagine seeing something on this order.
- davidHartkop 13y ago
  Have been working with a pottery studio that does quite a bit of reduced-firing for special types of glazes. The clays that require low-oxygen to be fired can be embedded in special types of activated charcoal & reducing agents within the kiln. We've had some excellent results with bronze, have yet to try iron & steel. The firing instructions on those clays are similar to the bronze, however.

would they exceed 5000 psi in compression? and what drives the cost up? I noticed they have a steel clay. Is that real (ish) steel and could it be made for under $5 per pound (as a bulk material)?

Kliment 13y ago

The process is expensive because it's a very low volume product and it's a heterogenous mixture that needs to be stored and processed without separating, rather than an alloy. It has been possible to print with metal clay for a very long time, with every paste extrusion setup made so far, the major problem is material cost and firing. I don't expect an object made with metal clay to handle 5000psi in compression, but it might be possible with some clever geometry. The major issue with metal clay is that is behaves like clay in many ways, severely limiting geometry that can be fired without breaking. You can think of it as very high viscosity solder paste.

davidHartkop 13y ago
True, I don't think anybody will be printing toaster ovens this way. The plastic/elastic properties of metal does make metal parts printed this way quite different in performance from parts printed in plastic. Not to mention the temp. ratings. Purity stamp for silver PMC after firing is 99.9%

na85 13y ago

Steel clays need to be fired in an oxygen-free environment or you'll have major oxidation problems. I don't realistically see this ever becoming a thing. >5000 psi Possibly. Again, it depends on the metal you use. With the right steel or aluminum alloy I could imagine seeing something on this order.

davidHartkop 13y ago
Have been working with a pottery studio that does quite a bit of reduced-firing for special types of glazes. The clays that require low-oxygen to be fired can be embedded in special types of activated charcoal & reducing agents within the kiln. We've had some excellent results with bronze, have yet to try iron & steel. The firing instructions on those clays are similar to the bronze, however.