Ultrafuse stainless steel 17-4 PH is an industrial-grade metal filament developed by BASF for professional use in 3D printing. It is composed of 90% stainless steel and 10% polymer binder, allowing it to be used in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers. This material offers impressive mechanical properties and cost-effectiveness, making it a popular choice for metal 3D printing applications.
Material Details
Ultrafuse stainless steel 17-4 PH is designed to provide a cost-effective and accessible solution for metal 3D printing. Here are some key details about this material:
- Composition and Printing Process: The filament consists of 90% stainless steel powder combined with a 10% polymer binder. This composition enables it to be processed using FDM printers, where the filament is extruded layer by layer to create the desired object.
- Debinding and Sintering: After printing, the part is in a "green state" and requires a debinding process to remove the polymer binder. Once debound, the part is relatively porous and needs to undergo a sintering process to achieve a solid and dense structure. Sintering involves heating the part to a high temperature below the melting point of the stainless steel particles, causing them to fuse together.
- Post-Processing Possibilities: While the sintered part is ready for use, additional post-processing steps can be applied to achieve specific surface qualities. Common post-processing techniques include polishing, milling, heat treatment, or coating, depending on the desired final properties and appearance.
- Mechanical Properties: Ultrafuse stainless steel 17-4 PH exhibits impressive mechanical properties. The typical range for tensile strength is 730 to 760 MPa, which indicates its ability to withstand pulling forces. The tensile elongation, representing the material's ability to stretch before breaking, falls within the range of 3% to 4%.
Compared to steel printed using the Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) process, Ultrafuse stainless steel 17-4 PH offers similar tensile strength but has a lower yield strength. This makes it a cost-effective alternative for metal 3D printing applications while still providing satisfactory mechanical performance.
Please note that specific processing parameters and post-processing requirements may vary depending on the manufacturer's recommendations and the specific 3D printing equipment and setup used.
Technical properties
the technical properties of Ultrafuse stainless steel 17-4 PH presented in a tabular form:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 730 - 760 MPa |
| Tensile elongation | 3 - 4% |
Please note that these values are provided as a general range and may vary depending on specific processing conditions and post-processing treatments applied to the material.