Compared with the powder metallurgy method, the tungsten parts produced by 3D printing technology not only have richer shapes, but also have higher comprehensive properties such as shielding performance and high temperature resistance, which also makes them more useful. The main uses of 3D printing tungsten are as follows:
1) Manufacturing medical collimators. Compared with metallic lead, tungsten alloy is more suitable for the production of collimators, not only because the alloy is environmentally friendly and non-toxic, but also has strong radiation protection capabilities. The collimator is a component of the radiation head of a medical accelerator, which is mainly used in tumor radiotherapy.
2) Manufacturing nozzles. Compared with ordinary brass or steel nozzles, tungsten alloy nozzles have better thermodynamic properties, which are mainly reflected in good heat resistance, good thermal conductivity, strong rigidity, high temperature strength, and are not easily affected by extreme tempering.
3) Manufacture parts and components of X-ray scanning equipment. The high density makes the tungsten alloy have excellent radiation protection performance, and the higher melting point and lower volume expansion coefficient also enable the tungsten alloy to have a larger application range, which is suitable for high-temperature environments.
4) Manufacturing screws. With the characteristics of high specific gravity, low temperature resistance and corrosion resistance, tungsten screws are widely used in the counterweights of golf heads, Fuxing EMUs and parts of aerospace equipment.
5) Manufacturing heat shields. It has the characteristics of good heat insulation effect, good corrosion resistance, strong ability to absorb radiation, excellent high temperature resistance and strong oxidation resistance, and is suitable for use in vacuum resistance furnaces.
6) Manufacturing tungsten anti-scatter grid. The 3D printed tungsten anti-scatter grid has the characteristics of high temperature resistance, abrasion resistance and strong radiation resistance, and is suitable for use in CT scanners. CT scanner is an important weapon against the new coronavirus.
In addition to the above-mentioned tungsten parts, 3D printing technology can also be used to produce tungsten needles, contacts, die-casting molds and heating elements.
