Forward AM, a 3D printing arm for a chemical company BASFhas started his new one Ultrafuse 17-4 PH Metal thread.
The stainless steel-based 17-4 material consists of metal powder in a polymer matrix and enables secure and inexpensive metal printing on most popular FFF systems. Designed for prototyping, metal tooling, and functional component manufacturing, 17-4 PH brings the high performance of metal to the accessible realm of affordable desktop printing.
Firat Hizal, Head of the Metal Systems Group at BASF 3D Printing Solutions, explains: “Ultrafuse 17-4 PH is an outstanding result of our strong research and development commitment. We filamented more than 10 different metals from titanium to tool steels and various alternative materials for printing support structures this year. We will continue to introduce the new filaments that the market and our customers are demanding. “
Ultrafuse 17-4 PH filament. Photo via BASF.
High mechanical strength and hardness
Ultrafuse 17-4 PH is characterized by excellent mechanical strength and hardness, which is maintained up to a temperature of 315 ° C. Also known as Type 630, it is a martensitic precipitation hardened chrome-copper stainless steel with magnetic properties. Its remarkable resistance to wear and stress makes the material well suited for tools, fixtures, and fixtures.
The material also has great corrosion resistance and is fully heat treatable to further improve its strength properties. Because of this, Forward AM believes its new material will be an excellent choice for components in a variety of critical industries such as the petrochemical, aerospace, automotive and even medical industries.
As with any filament infused with metal powder, parts printed at 17-4 PH are in their green state straight from the build chamber. In this fresh, untreated state, the material properties are not optimal and the entire part is extremely fragile. Once the part is heat treated to debond the polymer and sintered to increase its density, what remains is a fully 3D printed 17-4 stainless steel part with all the desired properties.
Parts 3D printed with Ultrafuse 17-4 PH. Photo via BASF.
Affordable metal printing with the Ultrafuse range
Last year, Forward AM launched the first metal filament – Ultrafuse 316L. The now two strong Ultrafuse series has been specially developed to be compatible with practically every common FFF 3D printer, be it for end users or for industrial purposes. With the company’s recent heavy investments in materials research and development, Ultrafuse technology appears to be emerging as one of the more cost-effective methods of metal additive manufacturing.
Hizal sums up: “We have already built up a sales network that works closely with our debinding and sintering service partners in various regions and can therefore deliver an integrated end-to-end solution. We are proud to add the Ultrafuse 17-4 PH to our portfolio. “
Forward AM isn’t the only company targeting the FFF materials market. 3D printing materials supplier Essentium recently launched three new high-performance composite filaments Specifically designed for aerospace, defense, electronics, and more applications. The first, TPU 58D-AS, has antistatic properties PET-CF and 9085 are characterized by excellent heat and chemical resistance.
Elsewhere, Supplier of 3D printing filaments Reflow recently launched a new environmentally friendly range of ‘Seaglass’ translucent materials. The company’s new line of six rPETG filaments is made of sustainable plastic from the region and is visually inspired by the environment.
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The image shown shows parts that were 3D printed with the Ultrafuse 17-4 PH. Photo via BASF.