Steel powder for 3D printing are high on the average engineer’s list of desired materials. NanoSteel, a leader in nano-structured steel materials design, has just introduced its first powders designed for the binder jet 3D printing process. These materials, BLDRmetal J-10 and BLDRmetal J-11, enable 3D printing of components for highly abrasive environments.

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 application, the tools made with J-10 lasted 5X longer than the previous solution, decreasing the risk of delays in servicing the aircraft.

“The NanoSteel material enabled us to create a tool that delivered the durability and reliability the customer required in a fast turnaround environment,” said 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 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 BLDRmetal products is based on the combination of complex metallic phases that provide wear resistance and a steel matrix that delivers ductility and toughness.

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, molds, and dies.

NanoSteel
www.nanosteelco.com