3D Printing Tough Materials Without Melting | Science News

Science News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 4, 2026 · 1m

Scientists are revolutionizing how super-hard materials like tungsten carbide-cobalt are made, ditching wasteful old methods for a laser-powered 3D printing technique that preserves material integrity while slashing costs and waste. By selectively softening—not fully melting—the compound, they’re crafting tools as tough as ever, but now with precision, efficiency, and lower environmental impact. After tweaking their setup with a nickel alloy layer and optimized heat, they’ve proven the new method matches traditional performance—opening doors to more complex, durable industrial parts and…