Tungsten is a metal with high density and strength. Because of its corrosion resistance, it has many valuable applications, especially in the chemical industry. However, its hardness and extremely high melting point make it a difficult material for 3D printing. In a paper entitled "Influence of process parameters on densification, microstructure and crystal structure during laser powder bed melting of pure tungsten", a group of researchers solved these challenges.

According to the process conditions, the bulk density and optical measurement density of tungsten are in the range of 94% to 98%, but these parts show microcracks and defects due to residual stress on micro and macro scales. Two types of tungsten samples were studied by 3D printing and analyzed by scanning electron microscope. Although these parts are easy to crack, the researchers determined that the density and quality of the samples produced in the 3D printing process are high enough to be used in medical radiation shielding, nuclear imaging and other plasma-oriented environments. They also concluded that the parameters of laser powder bed fusion can be customized to manufacture 3D printed tungsten parts with relatively high density.

3D printed tungsten can provide new applications for materials, because it can produce parts with high precision and complexity. Other researchers have studied 3D printed tungsten before, and 3D printed tungsten components have even been commercialized. Despite the challenges, tungsten has proved to be a valuable 3D printing material, and many experts are particularly interested in its heat resistance. On 20 18, Yin Na, Guangdong Province completed the printing process test of 3D printing spherical tungsten powder.