Along with their partners in the Vinnova funded AMCO project, Sandvik is releasing a report aiming to increase the understanding of corrosion mechanisms and -properties of additively manufactured stainless steels (AMSS). This facilitates safe implementation of 3D printed AMSS components in industries operating in demanding environments – for instance the offshore and marine segments, where Sandvik’s flagship alloy Osprey® 2507 is widely used.

The market for additively manufactured stainless steel is on a steep, global incline – and a prerequisite to safely implement stainless steel components produced through additive technology is a reliable prediction of how they will perform in corrosive environments. As part of the AMCO project, funded by innovation agency Vinnova and coordinated by Swerim – the metals research institute – Sandvik Additive Manufacturing collaborated with Alfa Laval, Quintus Technologies, and Jernkontoret to increase the understanding of corrosion mechanisms- and properties of additively manufactured components in various environments. Now, the AMCO project is releasing its guidelines on corrosion assessment of additively manufactured stainless steels.

“As a group, we are very proud to release these guidelines as a tool for universities and the market. When it comes to this rapidly evolving technology – and across all the demanding industries that are already utilizing or starting to consider using additive manufacturing (AM) due to its numerous business critical advantages – safe implementation is key. My hopes are that these guidelines will facilitate the continued growth and industrialization of additive manufacturing, which is a matter very close to the heart of us at Sandvik,” comments Peter Harlin, Research Leader at Sandvik Additive Manufacturing.

In 2021, Sandvik announced their ability to 3D print in super-duplex stainless steel, alongside strategic partner and part-subsidiary BEAMIT Group. This ability is a potential game-changer not least in industries working in highly corrosive environments – such as the offshore and marine segments. One of Sandvik’s flagship alloys, Osprey® 2507, is known and trusted for its excellent corrosion resistance and durability. In collaboration with offshore energy giant Equinor and Norwegian Eureka Pumps, Sandvik 3D printed an impeller, often found driving fluids through pipes on and under the sea. The offshore essential reinvented proved both lighter and faster than its traditionally manufactured counterparts – and was near fully dense and crack-free (>99.9%) even before post processing.

Johan Wallin, Product Manager, Super-Duplex Stainless Steel at Sandvik Additive Manufacturing
Johan Wallin, Product Manager for super-duplex stainless steel at Sandvik Additive Manufacturing, says: “Sandvik has been driving the materials evolution since 1862, with duplex stainless steels – including super duplex and hyper duplex – being one of our most outstanding material families. 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 optimized, corrosion resistant components is potentially enormous”.

Now, projects to implement additive manufacturing across various marine segments are ongoing – all according to Sandvik’s “Plan it, Print it, Perfect it” approach – and even further facilitated by the AMCO project results.
www.sandvik.com

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