AddSteel project to develop new materials for 3D printing in steel
The AddSteel project is aimed at digitalisation in the steel industry
Germany's wealthiest state, North Rhine-Westphalia, in the far west of the country, has launched a new AddSteel project. Funded by NRW Leitmarkt, the project will set about developing new function-adapted steel materials for use in additive manufacturing.
Supported by plant engineering company, SMS Group, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT), the three-year project will look specifically at the qualification of developed materials for laser powder bed fusion.
AddSteel has already successfully designed heat-treatable and case-hardening steel powders. Andreas Vogelpoth, head of the AddSteel project at Frauenhofer ILT said: “A plant has already been built at SMS group that can nozzle suitable metal powders.”
Researchers from the SMS Group had identified a lack of materials that can meet the demands for components that are complex but lightweight within the construction industry. Certain additive manufacturing technologies allow for the production of these lightweight, optimise metal 3D printed parts, and this will be a focus of the new AddSteel project.
Frauenhofer ILT researchers have already been looking at specific processes, such as Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), for use in the production of materials for the automotive, medical and aerospace industries for some time. This research resultes in a 3D printed component made from superalloy Inconel 718 was tested which “demonstrated significantly reduced distortion.”
If materials could be developed for 3D printing of crack-resistant components could be developed, this would help fill the gap in materials for case-hardening and heat-treatable steel. It is believed that this would require new forms of steel elements and new combinations.
Therefore, the project will develop alloys using systematic adjustments to processes and equipment.
"Deutsche Edelstahlwerke Specialty Steel is now supplying the new alloys that Fraunhofer ILT will soon be testing on its LPBF system, after the alloys have been converted into powder form," Vogelpoth added.
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