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From powder production, storage and transport, to 3D printing processes such as powder bed fusion, binder jetting, directed energy deposition, and metal material extrusion plus post processing and finishing. We can help you create high quality parts more efficiently with the right industrial gases, equipment and expertise.
Whether you’re just starting out in industrial 3D printing or expanding your operation, we understand the challenges you face: high equipment costs, a shortage of skilled workers, hard-to-source material, inconsistent quality and complex post-processing requirements.
While we can’t solve every challenge, we can improve the quality and consistency of your powder and parts with the right gas — including argon, nitrogen, and helium — at the right purity, along with the best supply mode and delivery method to ensure you have the process stability needed to produce high-quality products, on time and within budget.
What are your challenges?
With a large national footprint, Airgas provides the solutions you need for any industrial 3D printing application. In addition to gases for 3D printing, our additive manufacturing experts offer process expertise to help you all along every step of the process — from powder manufacturing, recycling and storage, to parts building and post processing. We'll work with you to ensure your process is stable, safe and uninterrupted with a reliable supply of quality additive manufacturing gases.
Airgas provides the gases for every application
Learn more about the gases used in additive manufacturing
Argon is widely used throughout the additive manufacturing value stream — from powder production to printing parts and post-processing — to displace oxygen and provide an inert atmosphere. Our argon offer includes industrial grade argon, ARCAL™ Prime premium argon, and ultra high purity argon. Learn more about argon.
Like argon, nitrogen is used throughout the additive manufacturing value stream. Though generally inert, except under specific conditions, nitrogen may react with certain metals limiting its application. Learn more about nitrogen.
Helium is used to produce metal powder during a process called plasma arc atomization. It is used again during parts building when using an electron beam powder bed fusion process. Learn more about helium.
Hydrogen is primarily used as a furnace gas during post-processing to provide an optimum atmosphere when sintering powders together. A nonflammable argon/hydrogen mix called 3D Heat Mix is a blend of argon and hydrogen designed specifically for sintering. In addition to sintering, hydrogen is sometimes used during powder production. Learn more about hydrogen.
Carbon Dioxide dry ice blasting, on its own or combined with an abrasive, is used during the post processing or finishing stage to clean parts. Learn more about carbon dioxide.
Production, storage, transport
Melting; Gas/plasma atomization; Chemical; Sizing; Gas recovery
Parts building processes
Powder bed fusion; Binder jet; Material extrusion; Directed energy deposition
Powder reuse*
Improve properties and safety
Thermal processing, cleaning
De-powdering; Sintering; Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP); Heat treatment
Many manufacturers reuse leftover powder to maximize efficiency and control costs. Powder has a tendency to oxidize during each build cycle, negatively impacting part quality. In addition, oxidation can occur while powder is in storage and during sieving and certain powders can combust or explode when dispersed in air. Airgas can help you control oxidation when reusing powder by recommending gases that help you achieve the ideal atmosphere.
Unlock the eBook
Access the eBook
Learn about gas use for additive manufacturing/3D printing by downloading our eBook, Understanding Gas Requirements for Additive Manufacturing. We'll show you how gases impact the various AM processes, the factors to consider when it comes to gas purity and how to ensure you have the right amount of gas for any process.
The gases and supplier used are critical to efficiently produce high-quality industrial 3D printed parts.
Rene Cooper, Additive Manufacturing Market Manager
“The gases and supplier used are critical to efficiently produce high quality industrial 3D printed parts. Airgas can help you create an optimum environment during powder production, 3D printing, and post processing with the right gas in the best gas supply mode. We can also advise on 3D printing safety, gas monitoring, PPE, and answer questions about speciality and shielding gases.”
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A safe, reliable supply of argon, helium, hydrogen, nitrogen and more with minimal impurities in a variety of innovative supply modes
Expertise from our network of experts in areas including fabrication, heat treatment, engineering, bulk gases for 3D printing, supply chain and 3D printing safety and support for certifications/analysis programs and furnace audits to ensure gases optimization
A complete equipment offer to provide quality and process stability, including gas delivery equipment to ensure gas is safely delivered to your process and gas analyzers to verify the right atmosphere to your industrial 3D printing chamber and post processing method
A complete portfolio of safety solutions from 60+ QSSP- and OSHA 30-certified specialists and a full line of safety products and PPE, including oxygen sensors and respirators, to keep you protected as you work
Get visibility, control and savings with supply chain solutions including EZ-GAZ™ digital gas monitoring service so you always know how much gas you have and are alerted when you need more
Find out more about how we support additive manufacturing
Additive Manufacturing Gas Supply
Learn more about our high-quality gases, gas delivery equipment and process expertise in industrial 3D printing.
Download the Brochure
ARCAL Prime
Read about our high-quality, high-purity 99.998% argon shielding gas available in innovative packaging options.
Download the Brochure
Heat Treatment Solutions
Find out how our heat treatment experts help you improve quality and optimize your post 3D printing heat treatment processes, including sintering, HIP (Hot Isostatic Pressing) and vacuum heat treatment.
Download the Brochure
EZ-GAZ
Discover how EZ-GAZ can help you optimize and monitor your gas supply so you reduce the risks of wasted gas and runouts.
Download the Brochure
Talk to an expert about your gases, hardgoods and safety needs.
