New ASTM standard supports 3D printing of stainless steel alloys

A new ASTM International (West Conshohocken, PA) standard will help manufacturers and buyers who want to use 3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing) to produce parts made of stainless steel alloys, which can be made more quickly than through traditional methods. This new specification describes chemical and mechanical requirements—as well as other properties—of additively manufactured parts made from 316L (UNS 31603), which is a widely used grade of stainless steel.

"Among the companies that will find the standard most useful are manufacturers willing to replace cast or wrought 316L parts and components, especially those with complex geometries, high inventory costs, or long lead times," says ASTM member Dr. Amir Farzadfar, materials process engineer for additive manufacturing at Corning Inc. (Corning, NY). "Also, regulatory bodies such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers will benefit, since the availability of this standard is the first step toward the ASME adoption process of additively manufactured parts."

The standard (soon to be published as F3184M, Specification for Additive Manufacturing Stainless Steel Alloy [UNS S31603] with Powder Bed Fusion) was developed by ASTM International's committee on additive manufacturing technologies (F42).

For more information, please visit www.astm.org.