Description

BASF Ultrafuse® 316L is an industrial composite filament compatible with the LPD Plus Zortrax Endureal 3D printer. It has features that allow users to produce metal parts in a safe, easy, and cost-effective way in comparison with Metal Injection Molding or metal machining. The filament contains 80% 316L stainless steel particles and 20% of polymer content. 

BASF Ultrafuse® 316L can be used for 3D printing complex metal end-use parts, functional prototypes, medical equipment, automotive parts, chemical pipes or valves, elements of tools or fixtures. Printed parts have up to 561 MPa tensile strength, 251 MPa yield strength, up to 53% elongation at break, and have austenitic (non-magnetic) microstructure. 

3D prints gain their unique properties through the proprietary catalytic debinding and sintering process, outsourced at Elnik Systems GmbH. During this process, 3D printed “green parts” turn into fully metal “brown parts.” As a result you receive non-magnetizable elements with high corrosion resistance. During the post-processing procedures, BASF Ultrafuse® 316L models shrink by about 20%. This effect should be taken into account when preparing models for 3D printing.

Stainless steel contains over 10% of chromium which in contact with oxygen forms a thin surface layer protecting it from corrosion as well as making this alloy esthetically pleasing, easy to maintain and sterilize.
The downside is the chromium makes 316L steel relatively soft.

It can be used for:

• corrosion-resistant automotive parts
• parts exposed to chemicals and liquids
• ecorative parts like trims and grills
• hydraulic systems' components
• food containers
• corrosion-resistant precision mechanisms
• functional prototypes
• metal end-use parts, such as electronics covers
• medical equipment
• automotive parts, such as engine brackets
• components for chemical industry
• parts intended for welding,
• tooling, jigs, fixtures.