NanoSteel introduces powders for binder jet 3D printing systems
October 2, 2015
NanoSteel, headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, USA, has announced a range of powders designed specifically for the binder jet 3D printing process. The materials, BLDRmetal™ J-10 and BLDRmetal™ J-11, enable the 3D printing of components for highly abrasive environments that can benefit from Additive Manufacturing’s ability to eliminate tooling, create advanced geometries and build custom parts on demand.
Binder jet machine
The company states that industrial components made using J-10 feature 2X the elongation and 3X the wear and impact resistance of an equivalently infiltrated 420 stainless steel. NanoSteel demonstrated this capability working with 3DX Industries, an Additive Manufacturing service provider, to print a security tool used by a global avionics company for removing and replacing aircraft panels.
In this commercial application, the tools made with J-10 lasted 5X longer than the previous solution, significantly decreasing the risk of delays in servicing the aircraft. “The NanoSteel solution enabled us to create a tool that delivered the durability and reliability the customer required in a fast turnaround environment,” stated Roger Janssen, President and CEO of 3DX. The avionics service team is planning further adoption of this new technology across their global operation.
The BLDRmetal product line of binder jet powders also includes J-11, which is designed for extreme wear low-impact applications. Components made with J-11 provide 10X the wear resistance of an equivalently infiltrated 420 stainless steel. The performance of both NanoSteel products is based on the combination of complex metallic phases that provide wear resistance and a steel matrix that delivers ductility and toughness.
“These first BLDRmetal powders offer compelling alternatives to existing materials for the binder jet printing process,” stated Harald Lemke, General Manager and Vice President of Engineered Powders at NanoSteel. “The company’s entry into the market enhances the applicability of binder jet printing by enabling the Additive Manufacturing of high-complexity, lower-cost components with exceptional wear performance.”
NanoSteel stated that the binder jet process is well suited for cost effectively producing industrial metal parts due to the faster building speed. These are the first in the company’s portfolio of BLDRmetal powders for hard metal applications that will include new products for each of the current metal 3D-printing processes. BLDRmetal J-10 and BLDRmetal J-11 are intended for industries such as oil & gas, tool & die, and energy in applications such as drilling and pump components, moulds, and dies.
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