MEX (Metal)
Material Extrusion / Metal FFF
ISO/ASTM Material Extrusion applied to metal. Filaments or rods of metal-polymer composite (MIM feedstock) are extruded, then debound and sintered. Often called Metal FFF.
Operating Principle & Process Flow
Operating Principle: A filament of metal-polymer composite (MIM feedstock) is melted and extruded. After printing, a "green part" is debound and sintered.
Process Flow: Filament extrusion (printing) → Debinding (chemical or thermal) → Sintering (powder particle fusion in furnace).
Technical Specifications
- Energy Source: Heat in the extrusion nozzle (to melt the binder, not the metal) + high-temperature furnace.
- Feedstock / Material Feed: Wire/filament of bound metal powder.
- Typical Part Size: Small to medium.
- Build Rate: Low.
- Accuracy: Low to medium (significant shrinkage in furnace).
- Surface Quality: Moderate (FFF layer lines often visible after sintering).
Applications & Materials
Typical Materials: Stainless steels (17-4PH, 316L), tool steels (H13), copper.
Typical Applications: Tooling prototypes, jigs & fixtures, fit-and-form parts.
Industries: Tooling, education, prototyping.
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