Sauber Engineering has long been a proponent of additive manufacturing and has recently acquired certification to utilize Scalmalloy in its additive layer manufacturing (ALM) processes.
The material was developed by German firm AP Works, which began life as a subsidiary of Airbus. It is an aluminum, magnesium and scandium blend that provides material properties on a par with traditional wrought alloys such as 7075, but can be reliably processed using AM techniques. It has a tensile strength of 520MPa (considerably greater than AlSi10Mg at 350MPa), which is about half that of Ti6Al4V, but combines this with a density the same as AlSi10Mg (2.6g/cm3). Furthermore, its microstructure remains stable up to 250°C, making it suitable for high-temperature applications
Commenting on the certification, Christoph Hansen, director of technology and innovation at Sauber Engineering, said, “Achieving the certification to become an official Scalmalloy partner is another acknowledgment of how Sauber Engineering is at the top of the 3D printing technology game. The ability to process advanced materials with proven mechanical properties, such as Scalmalloy, in a repeatable and consistent manner represents an important element in the wide range of our company’s offerings.”
By receiving this certification, Sauber joins an exclusive club of suppliers officially allowed to print Scalmalloy. This will allow the company to provide an additional range of service to its customers, and incorporate the material in the production process of the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN Formula 1 cars.
