Höganäs, Sweden, extends its 3D printing capability by introducing high-performance 17-4 PH stainless steel for its Digital Metal printing technology. The 17-4 PH steel enables production of components with higher strength and hardness, as it is a hardening grade that exhibits considerably higher strength at 1050 MPa UTS, than the more commonly used austenitic 316L at 520 MPa UTS. It also provides improved corrosion resistance compared to 400 series ferritic stainless steels.
Höganäs Digital Metal is a 3D metal printing technology that enables production of small and complex objects such as the Digital Metal hollow parts shown, that would be costly, if not impossible, to produce by traditional methods.
The process begins with an object described in a CAD file. This is materialized in the 3D printer, which builds the object layer by layer using metal powder and precision ink-jet. Once complete, the object is sintered for strength. The result is a metal component or part with high resolution and tight tolerances. A third step can be introduced to refine surface quality.
Today, Digital Metal predominantly produces parts or components in stainless steel. However, other materials such as titanium, silver, and copper are close to commercialization.
