Laser-sintering powder

Citation

(2008), "Laser-sintering powder", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 80 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2008.12780cad.020

Laser-sintering powder

Article Type: Materials From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 80, Issue 3.

Additive layer manufacturing applications in rapid manufacturing and prototyping are being extended with the introduction by EOS of new powders for laser-sintering in its EOSINT metal and plastic powder processing machines. Several such materials were launched recently in the UK at MACH 2008.

One of these powders is EOS MaragingSteel MS1 is a new, martensite-hardening steel of high strength and toughness, suited to producing heavy-duty tooling inserts. It is said to be at least on a par with, or even superior to, conventional tool steels. Other applications are the production of high-performance parts for the aerospace industry.

The material's composition corresponds to US classification 18 maraging 300, European 1.2709 and German X3NiCoMoTi 18-9-5. It is reported to be easily machinable after the building process, has a tensile strength of 1,950MPa and can be post- hardened to approximately 55HRC by simple thermal age-hardening.

Commented Dr Michael Shellabear, Vice President at EOS, “MaragingSteel MS1 is one of the reasons that our metal technology is currently booming. Sales of EOSINT M systems have increased over the last three years by an average of 43 per cent annually.”

“There have been other drivers as well, for example our new titanium TiAl6V4” he continued. “Various manufacturers in the medical device industry are testing and qualifying the material. It also has the significant advantage of helping to decrease weight in the aerospace industry, reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.”

Details available from: EOS Electro Optical Systems Ltd, Tel.: +44 (0)m1926 623107, Fax: +44 (0)1926 623108.