Sandvik and BEAMIT launch 3D printed super duplex

The use of iron-based and highly corrosion resistant materials in Additive Manufacturing (AM) have seen significant growth in interest during the past few years. This is largely due to the needs of demanding industries such as the offshore- and marine segments - where challenging environments call not only for advanced materials, but for on-demand production of spare parts, to minimise stock while also decreasing material waste.

In terms of withstanding harsh elements, there is one material family that unarguably stands out. Produced and optimised for additive manufacturing in-house by Sandvik Additive Manufacturing, Osprey 2507 is a super duplex alloy that has corrosion resistance and mechanical strength. For decades, Sandvik has been leading the materials evolution for duplex stainless steels - continuously launching new duplex and super duplex materials that, with their improved properties, are an undisputable part of Sandvik’s DNA.

Sandvik’s super-duplex stainless steels are already successfully used in highly corrosive environments such as the seawater exposed offshore energy sector, and in demanding chemical processing. Predominantly used in the shape of seamless tubes, plates, and bars, super-duplex steel has proved a challenge in additive manufacturing - up until now.

“By leveraging nearly two centuries of materials expertise and industry leading know-how along the additive value chain, we are proud to say Sandvik is the first to offer 3D printed super duplex components to the market,” said Mikael Schuisky, VP and Business Unit Manager at Sandvik Additive Manufacturing. “While many have tried and failed, we are very pleased to have seen components printed to a standard that doesn’t just meet, but outperform that of several conventionally manufactured counterparts.”

Since 2019, Sandvik owns a significant stake in the BEAMIT Group, Europe’s AM service provider that support the most demanding industries with high-end metal components. Adding the capabilities of the BEAMIT Group - including one of the most extensive AM machine parks in the industry - makes for an even stronger offering, specifically for customers looking to produce larger scale components.

“We are very excited to co-launch this potent combination of a superior material and the disruptive benefits of additive manufacturing to the market,” said Michele Antolotti, Engineering and R&D Manager at the BEAMIT Group. “Having already developed print parameters for single-laser machines, we are now progressing to expand our joint offering to include even larger applications. With the profound materials expertise within Sandvik, and BEAMIT Group’s market-leading abilities throughout the additive value chain, we are truly in a unique position to supply the offshore industries with an array of business-critical benefits, in terms of component performance and timely production alike.”

Sandvik already presented an 'impeller reinvented' - a lighter, faster, and more efficiently manufactured offshore essential, developed in collaboration with energy giant Equinor and Norwegian Eureka Pumps. Now projects across various marine segments - where super-duplex stainless steel is the material of choice - are on-going, all according to Sandvik’s 'Plan it, Print it, Perfect it' approach, stating that printing is just one of the seven steps you need to master to succeed with the industrialisation of AM.

Johan Wallin, Product Manager for super duplex at Sandvik Additive Manufacturing, commented: “Sandvik has been driving the materials evolution since 1862, with duplex stainless steels - including super duplex and hyper duplex - being one of our flagship material families. By our joint forces with BEAMIT, and by combining the inherited applicational benefits of additive manufacturing with the superior characteristics of Osprey 2507 - we are set up to drive the implementation of AM across a number of industries where the impact of optimised, corrosion resistant components, as well as on-demand production of spare parts is potentially enormous.”

On May 18th, 2021, the next episode of interactive webinar series 'Additive By Sandvik: Material Matters' airs. Guided by Sandvik’s leading experts in metal powder and additive manufacturing, the episode offers a deep-dive into the game-changing combination of super duplex stainless steel and 3D printing. Just as in the well-received series launch in December, participants are invited to actively help shape the session agenda through pre-registering questions and topics of particular interest. To register and learn more about the event, click here.