NanoSteel Expands Material Capabilities for Additive Manufacturing

NanoSteel, a provider of nano-structured steel materials design, has expanded its additive manufacturing (AM) capabilities to support metal 3D printing of complex hardness parts. The company is also offering designers the ability to customize properties layer-by-layer with gradient material design.

This NanoSteel impeller was produced with laser powder bed fusion. The company’s new additive manufacturing materials give manufacturers flexibility to meet part-performance requirements. Image courtesy of NanoSteel Co.

Last year, NanoSteel developed AM wear materials that could help print with the laser powder bed fusion process. The parts that this technique created were fully dense, crack free and had hardness levels of less than 1000 HV.

The new gradient materials, according the company, offer the equivalent of “digital case hardening.” This provides impact resistance, overall robustness and gives OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) design flexibility to meet part-performance requirements.

“Proprietary metal alloys that support the cost-effective 3D printing of high-quality parts will help accelerate the transition from subtractive to additive manufacturing across applications such as wear parts, bearings, and cutting tools,” said Harald Lemke, general manager of Engineered Powders, NanoSteel. “The company’s AM powder offerings make it possible to design exclusively for the function of a high hardness part, releasing designers from the limitations of conventional production processes and opening new opportunities to improve performance.”

For more information, visit NanoSteel.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.