In 3D printing applications, the metals involved can include aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, cobalt-chrome, copper or nickel alloys, and precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, or palladium.

Most metal powders used in 3D printing, such as iron, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, and titanium alloys, are produced by gas atomization. In this process, a feedstock is melted in a crucible before it is ejected from a nozzle into a high-pressure gas stream. This breaks the molten metal into fine particles, typically under 50 – 150-microns in size.