Stainless Steel 316L

Stainless Steel 316L is a popular material choice for additive manufacturing, specifically using the Powder Bed Fusion technology known as Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS). This manufacturing process offers numerous advantages, including the ability to achieve consistent mechanical properties and a high-quality finish, even with fine layer heights down to 30 µm.

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) stainless steel 316L exhibits unique mechanical properties due to its layer-by-layer sintering process. It typically demonstrates high tensile strength, often exceeding that of conventional 316L stainless steel, making it well-suited for high-stress applications. The material also exhibits notable hardness and durability, which is enhanced by its fine microstructure. DMLS 316L is characterized by good ductility and toughness, although slightly less than its wrought counterpart due to its inherent porosity and grain structure.

DMLS stainless steel 316L is chemically similar to traditional 316L, offering excellent resistance to a variety of chemicals, including acids, bases, and organic substances. It's notably resistant to chloride-induced corrosion, making it suitable for marine environments. The material withstands high temperatures well, maintaining integrity in chemical processing settings. However, like conventional 316L, it can be prone to stress corrosion cracking in harsh environments. DMLS 316L is inert against most pharmaceuticals and food products, ideal for medical and food-related applications. Its pitting and crevice corrosion resistance is significant, though manufacturing specifics like porosity may slightly alter its chemical properties.

With thermal properties akin to conventional 316L stainless steel, parts produced with DMLS have a high melting point and good thermal conductivity. It efficiently withstands high-temperature environments, maintaining structural integrity under thermal stress. The material's coefficient of thermal expansion is comparable to standard 316L, ensuring stability across temperature variations. Its heat resistance is notable, making it suitable for applications involving elevated temperatures. However, the layer-by-layer manufacturing process of DMLS may introduce microstructural differences, potentially affecting thermal conductivity and heat dissipation characteristics slightly. Overall, DMLS 316L remains a reliable choice for high-temperature applications, offering durability and stability.