Aluminum powder, as one of the key materials for 3D printing, exhibits excellent performance in printing complex and lightweight components due to its lightweight and good corrosion resistance properties.

Due to the flammable and explosive properties of aluminum powder, similar explosion accidents have also occurred frequently in recent years, resulting in serious personal injury and property damage.

For the sake of occupational safety, production, research and development safety, whether aluminum powder is used for metal 3D printing or other purposes, protective measures must comply with relevant specifications and standards to ensure the smooth progress of production and safety.

The reason why aluminum powder can explode is because the extremely small particles of dry aluminum powder can be suspended in the air, increasing the contact surface with the air and increasing its chemical activity. Once the dust reaches a certain amount in the air, it can quickly ignite when encountering a fire source, producing a large amount of heat and combustion products instantly, causing gas, steam, and other substances to expand violently, resulting in the consequences of explosion.

① The dust concentration has reached the explosive concentration limit. After mixing with air, aluminum powder dust can cause a dust explosion when it encounters an ignition source.

② Electrostatic reasons. During the production and transportation of aluminum powder, static electricity is generated due to the flow of aluminum powder in equipment and pipelines, as well as the friction between powder and pipeline, powder and equipment, and powder and powder.

③ Accumulation of heat due to dampness. When encountering moisture and water vapor during the storage process of aluminum powder, exothermic reactions will occur and spontaneous combustion phenomenon will occur. Long term storage should avoid contact with damp air.

The serious consequences of aluminum powder explosion are obvious, and relevant enterprises should attach importance to aluminum powder explosion prevention, take relevant measures in advance, and take preventive measures. The following practical measures can help enterprises avoid risks, carry out safety production, and research and development.

Dust removal is crucial, controlling the concentration of aluminum powder dust, timely dust removal within the range of aluminum powder escape, and avoiding contact with ignition sources during this process. There are no combustibles or ignition sources, greatly improving safety performance. Secondly, explosion-proof tools should be used on the operation site, grounding devices should be installed, and operators entering and exiting the production site should wear anti-static clothing and shoes. The third is to store aluminum powder well and avoid contact with damp air. The fourth is to ensure electrical safety. Operators should also remain vigilant at all times, ensure standardized operation, promptly identify risks and stop them.

The cleanliness of production is closely related to hidden dangers, and dust removal work is crucial. Whether it is the powder left in the forming bin of the 3D printer or the waste powder after printing, it needs to be thoroughly recycled and treated. In this process, it is quite necessary to equip professional explosion-proof vacuum cleaners.

In the 3D printing industry, some aluminum powder explosions occur due to accidental contact with oxygen during storage, mixing, and other processes, or changes in certain properties caused by moisture, resulting in accidents. Explosion accidents are always frightening, and both 3D printers and research institutes should give sufficient attention. Only with increasingly standardized protective measures, occupational safety, and production safety can effective guarantees be obtained.