A research institute specializing in Materials Science

Powder Materials Division

Department of 3D Printing Materials

Head of Department 'Kim, Kyung-tae'
Head of Department
Kim, Kyung-tae

Department Introduction

Department of 3D Printing Materials is focusing on development of key technologies of metal 3D printing materials and processing, the representative field of the 4th industrial revolution, where the department performs fundamental and applied researches to secure cutting-edge 3D printing technologies and high value-added products for energy, defense, environmental and advanced vehicles.

+82-55-280-3506

Major Activities

  • Development of KIMS aluminum powder for metal 3D printing
  • Development of high performance EOG-doped Bi-Te alloy thermoelectric materials
  • Development of In-situ defect detection system for 3D printer with computer vision and machine learning
  • 16 SCI papers (involving JCR top 1 journal) published in 3D printing fields
  • 2 patents applied, 1 patents registered, and 3 softwares registered
  • 4 technology transfers related to 3D printing with royalty(4, totoal 110 million KRW)

Major Research Area

  • Development of high-strength Al alloys for 3D printing used in mobility industries.
  • 3D printing of functionally-graded metals for ship/offshore valve.
  • 3D printing technologies of challenging/functional materials(tool steel, magnet).
  • Development of 3D printing materials (Al, Ti alloys) for defense application.
  • 3D printing of thermoelectric materials for waste-heat recovery system.

Future Research Plan

  • Development of advanced materials for 3D printing used in aerospace field.
  • 3D printing technology of magnetic materials for high-efficiency motors.
  • 3D printing technology for next-generation mobility parts based on DfAM.
  • Technical support of prototype fabrication by 3D printing for demanded companies.
  • Development of ink-type functional materials for 3D printing in the energy harvesting field.

Major R&D Activities

Development of KIMS Al alloy powder for 3D printing

  • Development of domestic aluminum powder for metal 3D printing to obtain high-performance body frame manufacturing technology, which is 25% lighter than traditional structure.
  • Alloy design of Al alloy for metal 3D printing and development of effective powder production technology.
  • Improvement of strength-ductility combination of Al products via process optimization of 3D printing.
  • Development of weight-reduction technology of automobile body-frame with performance improvement based on design for additive manufacturing (DfAM)

Development of thermoelectric material technology based on metastable microstructure

  • To secure energy material technology by improving the performance of thermoelectric materials(materials capable of converting thermal energy and electrical energy), one of the green energy materials to realize carbon neutrality.
  • Bi-Te alloy material design and large-area synthesis technology development
  • Improved performance of thermoelectric materials by controlling microstructure
  • Designing thermoelectric device manufacturing process

Development of defect detection software for additive manufacturing based on layered images

  • To characterize hidden defects in additive manufacturing, a series of laser-scanned layer images collection and managed with a newly developed software. This technology can help to find to establish an additive manufacturing-based smart factory.
  • This software was transferred to ezgeo inc, IT company