Desktop Metal and CETIM have announced the successful qualification of 304L stainless steel for use on the Shop System™. This new development complements the suite of stainless steel materials already qualified on the mid-sized binder jet printer, including 17-4PH and 316L.
304L stainless steel is noteworthy for its high tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and durability, making it ideal for a wide range of applications, such as structural components, food processing equipment, fluid transfer components, and welded components. This new qualification means that it is now possible to produce complex geometries of 304L parts on demand with little to no waste, whether in low or high volumes.
CETIM, in collaboration with Desktop Metal, worked on the parameter development for 304L, enabling the material to be offered on the Shop System binder jet 3D printing system. The aim of this collaboration is to support quick production of critical replacement parts in the French energy sector, such as those used in fuel processing and nuclear components. This will help to reduce lead times for critical 304L maintenance parts, avoiding long and expensive downtimes in the factory.
Christophe Reynaud, Ph.D., Additive Manufacturing Material Engineer at CETIM, stated that “304L is a key material in the energy sector due to its corrosion resistance, suited for highly demanding environments such as civil nuclear applications. Coupled with the high versatility and responsiveness of the Shop System, it is now possible to considerably reduce the lead-time for critical 304L maintenance parts.”
This qualification of 304L stainless steel adds to the Shop System material portfolio, which now includes 17-4PH and 316L, IN625, and Cobalt-Chrome. IN718 is now fast-tracked for final development on Shop.
Ric Fulop, Founder and CEO of Desktop Metal, said, “This new material offering will allow manufacturers to produce complex geometries of 304L parts on demand with little to no waste, whether they are interested in low or high volumes. 304L is a flexible, widely used stainless steel across many industries, and we’re delighted to offer it in our affordable, popular Shop System model.”
The 304L stainless steel printed with the Shop System and sintered in an Ipsen graphite furnace meets or exceeds the minimum tensile properties and the chemical composition outlined in the ASTM A240 standard. Further development is underway to further qualify binder jet 3D printed 304L for use in food-processing equipment applications and for applications involving welding.
CETIM works closely with industrial companies to help identify market opportunities and facilitate innovation and technical progress. They were one of the first adopters of the Shop System, the Production System™ P-1, and also own a Desktop Metal Studio System™, a Bound Metal Deposition (BMD) metal printing system.
In conclusion, the qualification of 304L stainless steel for use on the Shop System™ is a significant development for the additive manufacturing industry. This new material offering will enable manufacturers to produce complex geometries of 304L parts on demand, with little to no waste, whether in low or high volumes. The collaboration between Desktop Metal and CETIM has made it possible to reduce lead times for critical 304L maintenance parts, avoiding long and expensive downtimes in the factory. The addition of 304L to the Shop System material portfolio complements the suite of stainless steel materials already qualified, including 17-4PH and 316L, IN625, and Cobalt-Chrome, making the Shop System an affordable, popular option for manufacturers across many industries.
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