3D printing company Desktop Metal has added 316L stainless steel to a list of metal powders for its office-friendly metal 3D printing system. 316L is fully austenitic steel with corrosion resistance and improved mechanical properties at extreme temperatures, and is suitable for salt water in marine applications, caustic cleaners found in food processing environments, and chemicals in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
‘The addition of 316L enables engineers to print metal parts for a wide range of applications, including engine parts, laboratory equipment, pulp and paper manufacturing, medical devices, chemical and petrochemical processing, kitchen appliances, jewelry and even cryogenic tools and equipment,’ said Ric Fulop, CEO and co-founder of Desktop Metal.
The powder has already been used to make a fuel oil atomizer for use with atomizing medium such as steam or air. When 3D printed, the atomizer can be redesigned to function in a more fuel-efficient manner than those produced through traditional metalworking means.
In another application, ring splints can be custom-printed in 316L stainless steel on-demand to the desired size, with the added benefit of an aesthetic finish and increased durability Desktop says that it has more than 30 materials in development, and plans to introduce additional core metals to its portfolio throughout 2019, including tool steels, superalloys, and copper.
This story is adapted from material from Desktop Metal, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
