Using highly explosive metal powders creates new challenges in dust safety.

One of the most rapidly growing and evolving markets happening in the industrial world right now.

It’s cost-effective in terms of materials and productivity, and in many cases, it provides a greener solution that leaves less of a carbon footprint on the environment. It used to be that just those working with metals and plastics were taking advantage of this new technology, but each day, more and more industries from food production to biomedical breakthroughs— are finding the innovative way to integrate 3D printing into their work.

With that comes new hurdles in safety, especially when it comes to the byproduct of dust these processes can create. The compositions of the materials are becoming more exotic and changing rapidly, and it becomes critical to clearly identify the specific hazard that applies to the kind of dust you are working with. According to a 2008 study by the Combustible Dust Policy Institute, metal and plastics alone combined for nearly 40% of the 200+ combustible dust-related fires and explosions in all major sectors during that year, proving that many are either unaware or ignoring the dangers their materials pose.