While the adoption and development of metal 3D printing continues to grow, so too does research into different types of metals that can be 3D printed, including steel. The aerospace and automotive industries in particular would have many applications for 3D printing components with high-performance steel. Now, for the first time, a research team at the University of Kassel in Germany has used additive manufacturing to process a steel alloy with extremely high damage tolerance, which will help in promoting safety and reliability of 3D printed metal parts.
These increased qualities will open up many fields of application, according to materials scientist Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Niendorf, who has been a professor of metallic materials at the university since 2015. This project by his Emmy Noether research group was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).
“Applications in the aerospace and automotive industries, current drivers behind the technological development of 3D printing, will benefit considerably,” said Professor Niendorf in a translated quote. “3D metal printing will open up new areas on this basis.”
Prof. Dr. Thomas Niendorf in front of a 3D metal printer. [Image: Andreas Fischer]
According to the paper, “In the present study it is demonstrated that the EBM processed CrMnNi steel exhibits excellent tensile properties even when large process-induced defects are present. Furthermore, it is revealed that the alloy undergoes phase transformation upon process inherent cooling and heating, respectively. This finally results in a fine-grained microstructure without pronounced texture.”
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