With strong demand from downstream industries such as consumer electronics and aerospace for metal 3D printing, not only has the shipment volume of metal 3D printing equipment significantly increased, but the consumption of metal powder materials as consumables has grown even faster.
In January 2026, it was learned by Nanjixiong that at a critical stage for achieving cost reductions through scale in the metal 3D printing industry, Hunan Youcai New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. recently announced that its independently developed new AMPA equipment has completed core technological breakthroughs and entered the industrialization phase.
Relevant personnel informed Nanjixiong that this equipment can achieve a comprehensive cost reduction of 25%-30% in the production of aluminum alloy, copper alloy, magnesium alloy, zinc alloy, and titanium alloy powders. At the same time, the performance parameters of the powder comprehensively surpass those of traditional gas atomization processes, and it is expected to reshape the supply landscape of materials for metal additive manufacturing. Hunan Youcai will further strengthen its engagement with capital, continue to deepen its expertise in the field of titanium alloy powder production, and focus on improving technical levels and production capacity. Currently, the company's powder production equipment can produce 2 tons of titanium alloy powder per single production line per day.
I. Technological Breakthrough: Overcoming Dual Barriers of Cost and Performance
Hunan Youcai, leveraging the R&D capabilities of a nationally recognized high-tech enterprise and collaborating with university research institutions, formed a dedicated technical team and spent three years overcoming core processes. Unlike traditional gas atomization, which relies on high-pressure gas to break up molten metal streams, this technology has achieved three major breakthroughs:
Core Cost Reduction: Powder yield increased to over 90%, reducing inert gas consumption by 70% (a key factor accounting for 30%-50% of powder costs), and an integrated intelligent argon circulation system further compresses costs.
Precise Particle Size Control: Powder particle size is concentrated in the 15-60μm range, meeting the requirements of mainstream metal 3D printer models.
Morphology Optimization: Sphericity ≥ 94%, hollow powder ≤ 0.84, ensuring the density and mechanical properties of printed parts from the source.
This breakthrough coincides with an industry inflection point—in 2025, aluminum alloy powder prices dropped to 80-120 yuan/kg (a 20% reduction compared to 2024) due to technological advancements, and Youcai's equipment will further drive costs down, accelerating the large-scale application of 3D printing in fields such as aerospace and consumer electronics.
The performance of Hunan Youcai's atomized powder compared to traditional processes, based on the company's test reports, is significantly better than the production line data disclosed by some leading manufacturers. In particular, the substantial reduction in satellite powder proportion can minimize powder splashing defects during printing, thereby improving product yield.
II. Industry Chain Value of a 30% Cost Reduction: Cascading Changes from Materials to Manufacturing
Hunan Youcai's cost reduction logic covers the entire production chain, directly addressing industry pain points:
Intelligent Gas Circulation System: Integrated argon recovery module reduces inert gas costs per ton of powder by over 40%.
Raw Material Compatibility Innovation: Supports the purification and re-powdering of recycled titanium chips and aluminum scrap, aligning with circular economy trends.
Accelerated Domestic Substitution: According to calculations, the comprehensive cost of aluminum alloy powder produced using this equipment can be reduced to below 32 yuan/kg, providing more competitive material solutions for high-end applications such as lightweight aerospace components, precision parts for humanoid robots, and low-altitude aircraft.
III. Accelerated Industrialization Process Empowers the Upgrade of "Made in China with Wisdom"
Hunan Youcai has completed the transition from pilot-scale to industrial production and successfully delivered two sets of equipment to a foreign-funded enterprise. Production will commence in the fourth quarter of 2025, with an annual capacity of 500 tons. The company's founder stated: "We are currently in discussions with multiple metal powder suppliers in the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions regarding production line upgrades. The goal is to further increase the market share of domestically produced 3D printing powders within three years, helping China transition from a 'major printing country' to a 'strong printing country'."
Hunan Youcai is deeply committed to integrated R&D of "materials-equipment," breaking the monopoly of European and American companies in the field of high-end powder equipment with its new atomization technology. As the equipment enters mass production, China's 3D printing industry will usher in a new era of "low-cost, high-performance" materials, unlocking trillion-yuan market potential in areas such as commercial aerospace, new energy batteries, and medical implants.
