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Powdered 3D printing tool steel for additive manufacturing offers new possibilities in toolmaking and mould-making. Tools that were previously produced exclusively using the subtractive process (machining production) can therefore now be produced economically and additively in the highest quality.
Which 3D printing tool steel is optimal?
Based on our many years of experience with various tool steels, we concentrate on two 3D printing tool steel powders that reliably meet the high expectations of our customers in our production processes: The hot work steel 1.2709 impresses users with its excellent yield strength and elastic limit, as does the tool steel M789 which, in addition to its high strength, also has very good corrosion resistance.
The impressive properties of 3D printing tool steel
3D printing tool steel is a steel alloy with a maximum carbon content of 2.06 % and very low levels of sulphur and phosphorus (stainless steel). A distinction is made between alloyed and non-alloyed tool steels with different material properties. Unalloyed 3D printing tool steel can be used at temperatures up to a maximum of 200°C, while alloyed 3D printing tool steel is also durable at higher temperatures – hot work steel up to 400°C and high-speed steel even up to 600°C.
Fields of application of 3D printing tool steel
Extremely mechanically resilient, abrasion-resistant and durable 3D printing tool steel in powder form is used for processes such as the additive manufacturing of pressure and injection moulding tools and inserts. It is particularly ideal for the production of complex tools that can only be produced in machining with frequent re-clamping or not all due to their geometry. Even heavy-duty injection moulding inserts with conformal cooling can be easily manufactured from tool steels 1.2709 or M789. In addition to toolmaking, tool steels are also suitable for 3D printing components that have to withstand high loads, for example in the aerospace and aviation industries.
Near-contour cooling in the mold as a showcase
Injection mold insert with conformal cooling and coating
Design study of free-running metal links
The powdered 3D printing tool steel 1.2709 is an ultra-high-strength maraging steel that features excellent yield strength and elastic limit. In addition to its strength and toughness, it also offers good thermal conductivity. These properties are created by the formation of intermetallic phases and precipitates during heat treatment. Tool steel 1.2709 is not only ideal for tool and mould-making but is also used for components for the aerospace and aviation industries. As a hot work steel, it can be used in applications in which the surface temperature of the steel tool is between 200 and 400°C.
Maximum installation space: 400 x 400 x 360 mm
Toolmaking: one-piece tools in rapid cooling
The 3D printing tool steel M789 combines the excellent strength of tool steel 1.2709 with the corrosion resistance of tool steel 17-4 PH. As an ultra-high-strength and corrosion-resistant 3D printing tool steel, M789 is a very good material choice for applications in which the material must be harder than 50 HRC and must not corrode. Examples of such applications include those in plastic injection moulding with conformal cooling.
Maximum installation space: 400 x 400 x 360 mm
Toolmaking: one-piece tools in rapid cooling
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FKM is a pioneer in selective laser sintering (SLS) and selective laser melting (SLM) in Germany and Europe. Since 1994, we have been part of a revolutionary rethinking process in the industry. Where tool and mould making used to determine the design rules, additive manufacturing with SLS and SLM is now changing entire production processes.
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