SSAB, an industrial metal producer, has launched the world’s first emission-free metal powder for industrial deliveries, fabricated from recycled SSAB Zero metal. The product will create alternatives for patrons to 3D print in metal produced with out fossil carbon dioxide emissions. The powder combines the properties of SSAB’s high-strength metal with the sunshine structural prospects of 3D printing.
“It is a game-changer in the world of 3D printed metal. SSAB has already confirmed it’s potential to provide metal with out carbon dioxide emissions. Now we’re merging emission-free metal with powder know-how to allow sustainable 3D printed design with limitless creativeness,” stated Johnny Sjöström, EVP and Head of Particular Steels at SSAB.
The manufacturing of metal is a big supply of CO2 emissions on the subject of 3D printing of metal merchandise. By pulverizing SSAB’s emission-free metal with fossil-free power sources solely, the carbon dioxide emissions from the steelmaking are decreased to just about zero.
Final yr, SSAB launched its first typical metal powder to the market, SSAB AM Engineering, and now the portfolio is expanded with SSAB AM Robust Zero. SSAB additionally gives its distinctive fossil-free metal, primarily based on HYBRIT know-how, as a powder in restricted volumes.
In 2020, SSAB in Oxelösund invested in a metal powder manufacturing facility to provide premium superior high-strength metal powder for AM as a complement to SSAB’s common metal providing. Metal powder is ideally suited to a restricted sequence of tailormade parts or spare elements requiring excessive structural integrity and optimum performance. It may be utilized in all kinds of industries, from client items to heavy equipment to automotive and extra.
“3D printing high-strength metal parts will assist cut back the quantity of uncooked materials used, and minimize the burden, and enhance performance of the ultimate product. That is particularly essential for industries, comparable to automotive or heavy equipment, which might be making an attempt to save lots of weight, enhance efficiency, and cut back their CO2 footprint,” stated Jesper Vang, Head of Powder Expertise at SSAB.
The corporate has already supplied prototype fossil-free metal powder to chose prospects. In 2023, HT Laser 3D printed the primary fossil-free metal part appropriate for a forest machine, and mining firm Epiroc revealed a prototype hydraulic block for a rock drill in typical metal powder and stated it was exploring the opportunity of utilizing fossil-free powder. In 2022, Triwa launched a watch, its first client product made with fossil-free metal powder.
To make powder, molten metal tailor-made for 3D printing is damaged up by high-pressurized atomization gasoline – creating small spherical droplets that are solidified into powder. The metal powder can also be produced utilizing solely fossil-free power sources.
SSAB Fossil-free metal is produced utilizing HYBRIT know-how, developed by SSAB with mining firm LKAB and power firm Vattenfall. As an alternative of utilizing coal to take away the oxygen from the iron ore, the HYBRIT know-how makes use of hydrogen gasoline, produced with fossil-free power, to make sponge iron for metal manufacturing. The carbon dioxide emissions are eradicated, and as an alternative the by-product is water. As we speak, the corporate’s Fossil-free metal is simply out there for pilot deliveries.