Materials

SLM® Metal Powder & Material Parameters

It only takes 3 tools to make you successful with metal additive manufacturing:

1. The SLM® machine fitting your needs
2. The metal powder that defines the later purposes and functionality of a part
3. Precisely engineered SLM® parameters as the missing link.

Our open parameters are the result of our vast experience in multi-laser technology and a diligent development and qualification procedure. In conjunction with the open architecture philosophy, we together with our partners have unlocked more than 45 materials to date – and counting.

SLM® Materials

Open architecture makes it possible: the largest metal portfolio of any metal AM company. We and our partners have successfully worked with more than 45 materials up to this day. Is your material missing or would you like to source these or any other powder through us? Get in touch with our Materials Team!

Materials Team

SLM® Parameters

The missing link between machine and metal powder is your ticket into the world of SLM® : our precisely engineered and thoroughly validated SLM® parameters. They are key to produce fully functional parts with properties you can expect and rely on. We keep it simple and offer three categories to you: from high-resolution complex details (Precision) up to the highest build rates (Productivity) or right in between (Prime).

Integrated Powder Handling

When working with metal powders, there is a range of standards including staff care, handling and storage of materials, housekeeping requirements, audits and documentation. All companies operating AM systems should carry out risk assessments and develop an understanding of the regulatory framework and their health and safety obligations. At SLM Solutions, we have immense experience in metal AM and have developed a deep understanding of the risks of metal powders and the laser powder bed fusion process (LPBF). We have designed our systems to overcome these risks and protect users and operating companies.

Depowdering Partner: Solukon

The post-processing of components in the Additive Manufacturing process is a significant step. Due to complex geometric shapes and, for example, internal cooling channels or internal structures, depowdering can become complicated and time-consuming. Solukon, our preferred supplier of powder removal and processing systems tackles these issues with its unique SPR^® technology (Smart Powder Recuperation). Their depowdering systems remove loose powder from metal laser melted parts within a sealed process chamber, using adjustable vibration and automated two-axis part rotation while recovering superfluous powder.

Al-Based Alloys

Nikon SLM Solutions' AlSi10Mg is an aluminum-based alloy that is widely used in the additive manufacturing industry for production of functional parts as well as prototypes. AlSi10Mg is often used in applications requiring good mechanical properties and low weight.

Material characteristics

Very good corrosion resistance
Good electrical conductivity
High dynamic toughness
Excellent thermal conductivity

Typical application areas

Aerospace
Automotive
Engineering
Heat exchangers

Download Material Data Sheet

Nikon SLM Solutions' AlSi7Mg0.6 is an aluminum-based alloy, which is often used in applications requiring excellent thermal conductivity, good corrosion resistance or tolerance to strain.

Material characteristics

Good electrical conductivity
Excellent SLM^® processability
Good corrosion resistance
Good tolerance against strain
Excellent thermal conductivity

Typical application areas

Aerospace
Automotive
Heat exchangers
Research
Prototyping

Nikon SLM Solutions aluminium-based alloy F357 features a reduced silicon content of around
7 %, leading to increased mechanical properties, while still maintaining exceptional weldability. F357 is almost identical to the commonly known casting alloy A357, except it is completely free of the toxic element beryllium. F357 is in accordance with AlSi7Mg0.6 and already today in extended usage within aerospace or automotive applications.

Material characteristics

Good electrical conductivity
Excellent SLM^® processability
Good corrosion resistance
Good tolerance against strain
Excellent thermal conductivity

Typical application areas

Aerospace
Automotive
Heat exchangers
Research
Prototyping

Download Material Data Sheet

Ni-Based Alloys

Nikon SLM Solutions' HX is a nickel-based alloy with high contents of chromium, molybdenum, and iron. HX is an important alloy for high temperature applications in corrosive environments for a number of industries.

Material characteristics

High strength
Good ductility
Excellent oxidation resistance at high temperatures
High creep strength up to 850 °C

Typical application areas

Aerospace
Energy
Chemical industry
Turbine parts

Fe-Based Alloys

Nikon SLM Solutions' stainless steel 316L is an austenitic high chromium steel with excellent processability on SLM Solutions' additive manufacturing machines. 316L is often used in applications requiring good mechanical properties and excellent corrosion resistance, especially in chloride environments.

Material characteristics

Very good corrosion resistance
High strength under elevated temperatures
High ductility

Typical application areas

Aerospace / Automotive
Surgical instruments
Food industry
Offshore installations

Download Material Data Sheet

Nikon SLM Solutions' 15-5PH is a martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel that has excellent processability on SLM Solutions' additive manufacturing machines. 15-5PH is suitable for applications requiring high strength and hardness combined with moderate corrosion resistance. The alloy is the ferrite-free version of 17-4PH.

Material characteristics

Precipitation-hardenable
Excellent tensile strength
Moderate corrosion resistance

Typical application areas

Aerospace
Medical
Chemical / Petrochemical
Paper / Metalworking industries

Download Material Data Sheet

Nikon SLM Solutions' 17-4PH is a martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel. 17-4PH is suitable for applications requiring high strength and hardness combined with moderate corrosion resistance.

Material characteristics

Precipitation-hardenable
Excellent tensile strength
Moderate corrosion resistance

Typical application areas

Aerospace
Medical
Chemical / Petrochemical
Paper / Metalworking industries

Download Material Data Sheet

Nikon SLM Solutions' 1.2709 is a maraging tool steel with a high content of alloyed nickel and some molybdenum. 1.2709 is suitable for many tooling and high performance applications that require both high strength and toughness.

Material characteristics

Martensitic hardening
High toughness
High tensile strength
Good properties up to ca. 400 °C

Typical application areas

Injection moulding
Engineering parts
Automotive
Aerospace

Download Material Data Sheet

Nikon SLM Solutions' H13 (1.2344) is a chromium containing martensitic tool steel. This material is used in tooling applications that require exceptional strength and toughness.

Material characteristics

High tensile strength
Moderate corrosion resistance
Resistant to thermal fatigue cracking

Typical application areas

Injection moulding
Tooling

Download Material Data Sheet

Nikon SLM Solutions' Fe-alloy Invar 36® is a high nickel containing steel that has a uniquely low coefficient of thermal expansion below its Curie temperature of 280 °C. Invar 36® is used in components that require a high dimensional stability over a wide range of temperatures.

Material characteristics

Low coefficient of thermal expansion below its Curie temperature of 280 °C
Excellent mechanical properties at cryogenic temperatures
Low tendency to fatigue at low temperatures

Typical application areas

Aerospace
Valves in engines
Precision instruments

1.4828 is another austenitic stainless steel in Nikon SLM Solutions’ portfolio with very unique characteristics for steels: high strength and scale-resistant up to 1000°C. This makes it the material of choice for high-temperature, load-bearing components in furnaces, machines, and automotive applications.

Material characteristics

Austenitic stainless steel
High temperature resistance up to 1000°C
High strength and scale-resistance at high temperatures.

Typical application areas

Automotive
Machines
Furnaces

Download Material Data Sheet

Ti-Based Alloys

Nikon SLM Solutions' titanium alloy Ti6Al4V ELI (Grade 23) is the high purity version of Ti6Al4V (Grade 5), the most widely used titanium-based alloy in the world. Due to its high strength, low density, and good corrosion resistance, Ti6Al4V is highly suited for production parts in the aerospace and automotive industries as well as in biomedical applications.

Material characteristics

Good corrosion resistance
High specific strength
High cycle fatigue strength
High toughness

Typical application areas

Aerospace
Automotive
Medical
Energy

DOWNLOAD MATERIAL DATA SHEET

TA15 is a near-alpha titanium-alloy with additives of aluminum and zirconium. The high specific strength of components made of TA15 combined with their high load-bearing capacity and temperature resistance enable them to be used for heavy-duty components in aircraft and engine construction.

Material Characteristics

Very good mechanical properties also in the high-temperature range
High loadability even in multiaxial stress states
High specific strength
Good weldability

Typical application areas

Aerospace
Engine construction

Download Material Data Sheet

Nikon SLM Solutions' Ti (Grade 2) is a commercially pure titanium grade with excellent biocompatibility and good mechanical properties. Ti (Grade 2) is widely used in many different applications that require excellent corrosion resistance, strength, ductility, and low density.

Material characteristics

Excellent biocompatibility
Excellent corrosion resistance to sea water
Good ductility
Moderate strength

Typical application areas

Medical
Aerospace
Energy
Chemical / Petrochemical
Heat exchanger

Download Material Data Sheet

Co-Based Alloys

Nikon SLM Solutions' SLM MediDent® is a cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten alloy especially designed for application in the dental industry. SLM MediDent® is used primarily for the production of biocompatible dental implants and prostheses – and has a CE certification.

Material characteristics

Biocompatible
Corrosion resistant

Typical application areas

Dental
Medical

Cu-Based Alloys

The low-alloyed copper-alloy CuNi2SiCr is a thermally hardenable alloy with a high stiffness, even at elevated temperatures. Due to the low additives, the properties of pure copper (e.g. strength, softening temperature) can be considerably improved, while other properties (e.g. electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance) are largely retained. Typical areas of application are, for example, toolmaking, conductive contacts in electrical engineering or valves.

Material characteristics

Balanced combination of electrical and thermal conductivity
High wear resistance
High corrosion resistance, in particular to stress corrosion cracking

Typical application areas

Welding technology
Electrical engineering
Tool construction

Download Material Data Sheet

CuCr1Zr is Nikon SLM Solutions’ copper alloy with the lowest concentration of alloying elements and, therefore, brings an excellent balance of mechanical and conductive properties. With up to 92 % IACS after heat-treatment, CuCr1Zr still features very high electrical conductivities at up to 300 MPa ultimate tensile strength. Chromium and zirconium help to maintain both high strength and hardness at elevated temperatures – ideal for rocket engines.

Material characteristics

Highest electrical conductivity for SLM® copper alloys
High temperature stability for strength and hardness
Improved strength compared to pure copper

Typical application areas

Aeronautics and space
Electrical engineering

Download Material Data Sheet

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