Preheating metal powders before printing is a simple yet powerful technique to improve print quality. By warming the powder bed or the material itself before the printing process begins, manufacturers can significantly reduce residual moisture, a key factor that affects powder flowability and fusion quality.
Moisture in the powder can lead to spatter, gas porosity, poor layer adhesion, and delamination between layers. Preheating drives out that excess moisture, stabilizing the powder and creating a more uniform and controlled build environment. This results in better part density, surface finish, and structural integrity.
Preheating is particularly critical in humid environments or when working with reactive alloys like titanium or aluminum. These materials are highly sensitive to moisture and can degrade in performance if not handled properly.
In short, thermal control leads to better results. If you’re serious about part consistency and reducing defects, preheating isn’t just an option, it’s a must.