Cooling for Additive Manufacturing

Temperature and the ability to cool parts rapidly play a decisive role in the manufacturing process. Air Products offers gas solutions for cooling and the dissipation of heat during the 3D printing process.

Nitrogen, argon and helium can all be used. The minimum cooling rate requirement is the key factor in determining which gas is used. Helium is used when high cooling rates are desired. Cooling rates can also be increased with higher gas pressure and velocity.

In addition, Air Products offers a patented liquid nitrogen-based cooling technology for a wide variety of applications. Our system provides tight temperature control and precise flowrates for targeted cooling of metals, non-metals and composites.

Our Air Products technical team has extensive applications knowledge in surface/bulk treatment of metals to help additive manufacturers optimize the gas selection, supply mode, and purity for improved part processing.

World's leading producer and supplier of helium

World leader supplying compressed gas and liquid helium in a variety of purities and concentrations

Reliable and secure supply of industrial gases

Multi-plant network with primary production plants and secondary product sources to maintain reliable supply

Excellent record of meeting on-time needs

24/7 Inventory Management Services to create a supply replenishment plan based on current and future production schedule

Industry leader in safety

Nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of our operating communities

Technical support when you need it

Experienced technical teams across the globe can provide supply and technology solutions to meet your unique needs

World-class customer service

Our approach to customer relationships is based on understanding your needs first

Global leading manufacturer of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon

Global leader supplying liquid and compressed nitrogen, oxygen, and argon in a variety of purities and concentrations

Don Bowe

Applications Engineer

How does gas affect the quality of my additive manufacturing process?

As with other traditional methods of prototyping and manufacturing metal parts, the proper gas atmosphere is critical for producing quality products. Nitrogen and argon are commonly used to provide inert atmospheres during additive manufacturing. It is important to use the correct flow rate and purge duration to avoid deformed parts and ensure a safe production environment. For example, high oxygen content in the atmosphere will result in oxidation of the powder metal leading to poor part quality, clumping in the powder feed, or high porosity in the end product. It will also reduce the amount of recyclable powder for future use. Inerting is also critical for proper management of the combustible dust arising from the powder metal and printing process. Post treatments after printing may require industrial gases, depending on the application.

Cooling for Additive Manufacturing

Expert solutions to help you succeed

Industrial Gases from a Global Leader

World's leading producer and supplier of helium

Reliable and secure supply of industrial gases

Excellent record of meeting on-time needs

Industry leader in safety

Technical support when you need it

World-class customer service

Global leading manufacturer of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon

Offerings

Ask the Expert

Don Bowe

The role of industrial gases in 3D printing of metal parts

Gases

Argon

Helium

Nitrogen

Resource Center

Downloads