Stainless Steel 3D Printing
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About Stainless Steel Metal 3D Printing
3D printed stainless steel is commonly used in direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) technology, which uses lasers to weld layers of powder until the finished part is finished. Stainless steel parts made by this method are as dense as cast metal and have no porosity problems. There is also no need for solution annealing, because the part already has the required properties at the time of printing, DMLS technology makes it possible to 3D print stainless steel parts, directly printing parts as dense as cast metal, without subsequent processing, suitable for small batch production of personalized complex shapes of stainless steel parts.
3D Printed Stainless Steel at a Glance
| Application | Medical implants and devices, chemical processing components |
| Advantages | Excellent corrosion resistance, biocompatible, PH Stainless Steel has excellent strength properties |
| Disadvantages | Parts have a level of anisotropy |
| Lead Time | 3 days |
| Price | $$-$$$ |
| Minimum Feature Size | Typically 0.016” - 0.020” (0.406 mm - 0.508 mm ) |
| Layer Height | 0.0012” - 0.0016" (0.0305 mm - 0.04064 mm) |
| General Tolerances | 0.005” (0.127 mm) is possible for the first inch of height. For every inch thereafter, an additional 0.002” (0.0508 mm) is added to the tolerance. |
| Max Part Size | 10” x 10” x 10” (254 mm x 254 mm x 254 mm) |
DMLS Stainless Steel 316L
Stainless Steel 316L is a steel alloy known for its outstanding corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. It is ideal for manufacturing complex medical devices and consumer products. However, 316L stainless steel loses its ability to resist corrosion in the temperature range between 427 and 816癈. 316L stainless steel parts manufactured with 3D printing can be subsequently polished and processed. It is commonly used in glasses frames, turbine blades, and parts that require corrosion resistance.
DMLS Stainless Steel 316L Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Fatigue Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm^3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 640 ± 50 | 530 ± 60 | 40 ± 15 | 89 | 7.9 |
DMLS Stainless Steel 17-4
17-4PH stainless steel is a precipitation-hardened stainless steel, which combines good corrosion resistance with high strength (much stronger than 316L stainless steel), and can be increased to more than 1300MPa by heat treatment. This material is suitable for the manufacture of parts requiring high strength while avoiding the problem of carbon steel rust, and the most common application is a variety of surgical instruments.
DMLS Stainless Steel 17-4 Properties
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Brinell) | Density (g/cm3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 886 ± 70.4 | 860.6 ± 75.7 | 19.9 ± 1.2 | 247 | 7.79 |
Finishes
The density of parts manufactured by 3D printed stainless steel can reach the level of traditional machined steel, and similar post-processing can also be performed.
Standard post-treatment includes removal of the print support structure and sandblasting for an even appearance.
If necessary, it can also be CNC machining or polishing to generate a specific structure, such as CNC turning out threads, pores, or polishing out a specific smooth surface, which needs to be evaluated according to actual needs.
Cost-saving Design Tips
To reduce the cost of 3D printing stainless steel, consider the following tips:
First, the DFM principle is applied in the design to ensure that the closed area is reserved for holes to facilitate the removal of unmelted powder.
The second is to choose the right material,DMLS can print high-strength stainless steel parts, but the price is not low. It should be confirmed that stainless steel is really needed for the application, and other more economical metal materials may also meet the demand.
The third is to optimize the structural design, rational use of materials, reduce unnecessary material consumption.