Fused filament fabrication of stainless steel structures - from binder development to sintered properties

Additive manufacturing of metals by 3D printing polymeric filaments containing high loading metal powder, subsequent debinding, and sintering offers a potent alternative to the widespread beam-based processes. The binder is decisive component for successful fabrication process. This study presents development multi-component system filament-based 316 L stainless steel in various optimization steps. contains polyethylene (PE) backbone, which ensures structural integrity during solvent debinding. A soluble consisting thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) second PE used, reduce polymer content via extraction prior thermal TPE grants flexibility filaments, while allows reduction viscosity increase stiffness strength. enables precise tuning rheological mechanical properties filaments. capabilities developed, are demonstrated plate-lattices. structures printed, subjected two-step – debinding procedure, finally sintered. In compression tests able undergo large plastic deformations without fracture, highlighting their potential energy absorption applications. main contribution this work disclosure with two types polymers. control properties, as well backbone fraction binder. Based on characterization performed, can be easily modified adapt other solid materials fractions, parameters like stiffness, viscosity, or adjusted precisely.