Al 3104 powder
Al 3104 powder is an aluminum alloy composed primarily of aluminum (Al) with small additions of manganese (Mn) and magnesium (Mg). This powder form of the alloy offers distinct advantages in terms of its processability and versatility. It is commonly used in various industries due to its excellent combination of strength, corrosion resistance, and formability.
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Table of Contents
Overview of Al 3104 Powder
Al 3104 is a 3000 series wrought aluminum alloy known for its good corrosion resistance, excellent formability and weldability. Manganese additions provide strength through solid solution strengthening while maintaining ductility and toughness.
Key characteristics of Al 3104 powder include:
- Moderate strength with excellent ductility
- Very good weldability and formability
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- High thermal and electrical conductivity
- Low density
- Available in various particle size distributions
Al 3104 powder is suitable for chemical tanks, utensils, heat exchangers and applications needing moderate strength combined with good corrosion resistance.
Chemical Composition of Al 3104 Powder
The typical chemical composition of Al 3104 powder is:
| Element | Weight % |
|---|---|
| Aluminum (Al) | Balance |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.0-1.5% |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.3% max |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.7% max |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.25% max |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.25% max |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.20% max |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.05-0.20% |
Manganese is the key alloying element in 3104 aluminum. Impurity levels of silicon, iron, copper, and zinc are strictly controlled.
Properties of Al 3104 Powder
Key properties of Al 3104 powder include:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.73 g/cm3 |
| Melting Point | 634-643°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 134 W/mK |
| Electrical Conductivity | 38-42% IACS |
| Young’s Modulus | 70 GPa |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.33 |
| Tensile Strength | 150-195 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 95-120 MPa |
| Elongation | 20-30% |
| Hardness | 45-65 Brinell |
The alloy offers moderate strength with high ductility and excellent formability. It has very good resistance to atmospheric corrosion and marine environments.
Production Method for Al 3104 Powder
Common production methods for Al 3104 powder include:
- Gas Atomization – Molten alloy stream disintegrated with high pressure inert gas jets into fine spherical powder. Controlled particle size distribution.
- Water Atomization – High velocity water jet used to produce fine irregular Al 3104 particles. More economical but higher oxygen pickup.
- Mechanical Alloying – Ball milling of aluminum and manganese powder blends followed by cold compaction and sintering.
Gas atomization provides the best control over powder characteristics like particle size, shape and microstructure.
Applications of Al 3104 Powder
Typical applications of Al 3104 powder include:
- Metal Injection Molding – To manufacture small intricate components needing moderate strength and good corrosion resistance.
- Additive Manufacturing – Suitable for binder jetting and selective laser melting processes to produce complex aluminum parts.
- Powder Metallurgy – Press and sinter process to create parts with good mechanical properties and machinability.
- Thermal Spraying – Wire arc spray deposition to produce protective coatings offering moderate wear and corrosion resistance.
- Welding Filler – Used as filler wire to provide weld strength similar to base metal.
- Pigments – Added to paints and plastics to provide shine and corrosion protection.
Specifications of Al 3104 Powder
Al 3104 powder is available under different size ranges, shapes, purity levels and grades:
- Particle Size: From 10-150 microns for AM methods, up to 300 microns for thermal spray processes.
- Morphology: Spherical, granular, dendritic and irregular powder shapes. Smooth powder has better flowability.
- Purity: From commercial to high purity (99.8%) grades tailored for application.
- Grades: Conforming to ASTM B209, EN 573, ISO 209 specifications. Custom grades offered.
- Flowability: Powder can be customized for excellent flow rates above 25 s/50g.
Global Suppliers of Al 3104 Powder
Some of the major global suppliers are:
- Valimet Inc. (USA)
- Makin Metal Powders (UK)
- Shanghai Chaowei Nanotechnology (China)
- Micron Metals (USA)
- Shandong Yamei Nanotechnology (China)
- CNPC Powder Group (China)
- Agni Metal (USA)
These companies produce Al 3104 powder suitable for AM, MIM, thermal spray, welding, automotive, and other applications using various methods.
Al 3104 Powder Pricing
Pricing of Al 3104 powder depends on several factors:
- Purity levels
- Powder characteristics
- Production method
- Order volume
- Supplier and location
| Grade | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Commercial | $5-15 per kg |
| High purity | $15-25 per kg |
| Ultrafine | $25-45 per kg |
| Special grade | $45-90 per kg |
High purity, spherical and controlled particle size powders command much higher pricing over regular commercial grades of Al 3104 powder.
Storage and Handling of Al 3104 Powder
Al 3104 powder should be properly handled and stored to prevent:
- Oxidation and reaction with moisture
- Dust explosion hazards from fine powder
- Inhalation related health problems
- Safety practices from supplier SDS should be followed
Inert gas blanketing, proper grounding, ventilation, and PPE is recommended when handling the powder.
Testing and Characterization Methods
Key test methods used for Al 3104 powder include:
- Chemical analysis using OES or XRF for composition
- Particle size distribution as per ASTM B822 standard
- Morphology analysis through SEM
- Powder flow rate measured by Hall flow funnel
- Density determination by helium pycnometry
- Impurity testing by ICP-MS
- Microstructure examination by X-ray diffraction
These tests ensure batch consistency and compliance with application requirements.
Comparison Between Al 3104 and Al 3003 Powders
Al 3104 and Al 3003 are two aluminum alloy powders compared:
| Parameter | Al 3104 | Al 3003 |
|---|---|---|
| Alloy type | Non-heat treatable | Non-heat treatable |
| Mn content | 1.0-1.5% | 1.0-1.5% |
| Strength | Slightly lower | Slightly higher |
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent | Excellent |
| Weldability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
Al 3104 offers slightly better formability whereas Al 3003 provides marginally higher strength. Both offer excellent corrosion resistance.
Al 3104 Powder FAQs
Q: How is Al 3104 powder produced?
A: Al 3104 powder is commercially produced using gas atomization, water atomization, and mechanical alloying followed by sintering. Gas atomization provides the best control of particle characteristics.
Q: What are the main applications of Al 3104 powder?
A: The major applications of Al 3104 powder include metal injection molding, additive manufacturing, thermal spray coatings, powder metallurgy parts, pigments, and welding filler wire.
Q: What is the recommended Al 3104 powder size for binder jet 3D printing?
A: For binder jetting process, the typical Al 3104 powder size range is 20-45 microns with near-spherical morphology to enable good powder bed density.
Q: Does Al 3104 powder require any special handling precautions?
A: Yes, it is recommended to handle aluminum powders carefully in inert atmosphere using proper grounding, ventilation and PPE to prevent fire or explosion hazards.
Q: Where can I purchase Al 3104 powder suitable for marine applications?
A: Al 3104 powder with high corrosion resistance tailored for marine environments can be purchased from leading manufacturers like Valimet, Makin Metal Powders, and Micron Metals.
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