BASF’s Forward AM launches Ultrafuse 17-4 PH filament for metal AM applications
Forward AM, an Additive Manufacturing solutions brand of BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH, headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, has launched Ultrafuse® 17-4 PH for the Material Extrusion (MEX)-based Additive Manufacturing process Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). The new filament, combining stainless steel powder with a polymer binder, compliments the company’s existing Ultrafuse 316L filament range.
Offering high mechanical strength and hardness, the new AM filament is said to be ideally suited for a wide range of applications, such as tooling, jigs and fixtures, and functional prototypes states Forward AM. Good corrosion resistance and the ability to be fully heat treated to high levels of strength and hardness make Ultrafuse 17-4 PH a suitable choice for a range of industries including petrochemicals, aerospace, automotive, and medical, it added.
Ultrafuse metal filaments are specifically developed to work on all common opensource FFF machines, from beginner to industrial level, which the company notes makes it one of the easiest and most cost-effective technologies in metal Additive Manufacturing. In 2019, Forward AM launched the company’s first metal filament with Ultrafuse 316L.
“Ultrafuse 17-4 PH is an outstanding result of our strong R&D commitment,” commented Firat Hizal, Head of Metal Systems Group, BASF 3D Printing Solutions. “We filamented more than ten different metals from titanium to tool-grade steels, and several alternative materials to print support structures within this year. Going forward we will continue to introduce the new filaments that the market and our customers demand.”
Hizal added, “We have already established a distribution network that collaborates closely with our debinding and sintering service partners in different regions and can thus deliver an integrated end-to-end solution. We are proud to extend our portfolio with Ultrafuse 17-4 PH.”
