EOS launches stainless steel 17-4PH powder for metal Additive Manufacturing
September 8, 2017
Additively manufactured prototype (apart from the internal springs), produced with the EOS StainlessSteel 17-4 PH IndustryLine parameter set. The process enables Exactech to create instrument solutions in small production runs with reduced lead time and cost (Source: Exactech)
EOS GmbH has announced the launch of its StainlessSteel 17-4PH IndustryLine metal powder for use in its metal Additive Manufacturing systems. The material consists of an iron-based metal alloy powder and a specially developed process parameter for manufacturing on the EOS M 290 metal system.
The StainlessSteel 17-4PH IndustryLine powder is said to be a high-strength, easily curable, highly corrosion- and acid-resistant material, which is therefore ideal for manufacturing surgical and orthopaedic instruments. Parts can be additionally processed, micro-blasted and polished directly after the Additive Manufacturing process or after heat treatment.
The quality of each batch of the metal powder delivered is guaranteed by quality assurance processes, which are reported to be parts of the extensive quality management system used at EOS for systems, powdered materials, and processes.
“We were impressed by both the quantity and quality of the data that EOS provided for its IndustryLine process and material,” stated Zachary Bryan, PhD, test developer and metallurgist at the US-based customer Exactech. “We have manufactured various instruments based on EOS StainlessSteel 17-4PH IndustryLine and achieved the desired material properties. Exactech is planning to use this material for the small-scale manufacturing of medical instruments and intends to do so in collaboration with EOS.”
“Planning security and reliability are top priorities for customers who are engaged in serial manufacturing. For its StainlessSteel 17-4PH IndustryLine, EOS provides reliable and statistically proven data for the most important material properties of finished parts,” stated Dr Tobias Abeln, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at EOS.
“This significantly raises quality standards in Additive Manufacturing. The customer can use the data 1:1 to qualify the technology for large-scale production and therefore minimise the time required as well as cut the cost of in-house material and process qualification,” added Abeln.
