Materials - Metal
Overview
Metal
Manufacturing components out of metal powder can reduce weight as well as minimize manufacturing costs through a process that allows broader design capabilities. When selecting the best PM material for a particular application, consideration is given to requirements such as strength, ductility and wear-resistance. With our advanced alloys and processing techniques, Formatec manufactured components often exceed industry performance standards.
Upon selection of specific characteristics, we can now offer five different metals and metal alloys. Depending on what your request is, we can offer it to you made through two different production processes; Metal Injection Molding (MIM) and Additive Manufacturing.
Choose the material and manufacturing method that suits you best!
Types of Metal
17-4 PH
17-4 PH is a martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel. As a result of its valuable combination of properties, 17-4 PH is the most widely used of all the precipitation-hardening stainless steels as it gives the opportunity to add reliability while simplifying fabrication and reducing costs.
Properties
high strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and fine mechanical properties at temperatures up to 316°C. As it is martensitic, it is magnetic.
Example applications
aircraft parts, fire arms parts and car parts.
17-4 PH is widely used in food processing equipment, petrochemical and chemical industries, and for aerospace applications.
316L
Alloy 316L is a molybdenum-bearing austenitic stainless steel, that has better overall corrosion resistance, compared to 304. 316L is known for its great formability and weldability. It also offers long-lasting high quality with outstanding elevated temperature tensile. It is robust towards environmental influences and a tough material used for weight-bearing duties.
Properties
high toughness and corrosion resistance, and non-magnetizable.
Example applications
medical devices, waste water treatment, watches and marine applications.
316L is used in the maritime sector, for food processor equipment and chemical and petrochemical industries.
Molybdenum
Molybdenum is a very hard transition metal which oxidizes at elevated temperatures. Used for oil or gas pipelines, ships, offshore structures and storage tanks. It is valuable as a catalyst in the refining of petroleum. Molybdenum is an essential trace element in plant nutrition.
Properties
high melting point, corrosion resistance, ductile and high elastic modulus.
Example applications
jet engines, electrodes, aircraft parts and filament supports.
Molybdenum is used in petroleum industries, for aerospace and nuclear applications.
Tungsten
Tungsten is a bulk metal that resists attack by oxygen, acids and alkalis. It has the highest melting point of any metal. It is used in steels to increase hardness and strength.
Properties
Exceptionally strong refractory metal, high tensile strength at temperatures of more than 1,650°C, high electric conductivity and relatively inert.
Example applications
Microchip technology, liquid crystal displays, light bulb filaments and arc-welding electrodes.
Tungsten is applied in the medical industry, aerospace and oil industry.
Copper
Copper is a soft, extremely ductile metal with a very high electrical and thermal conductivity. It is resistant to corrosion and has low chemical reactivity. Copper nowadays is essential for a variety of domestic, industrial and high-tech applications.
Properties
it is malleable, ductile and an extremely good conductor of both heat and electricity. Copper has low chemical reactivity.
Example applications
induction heat coils, heat transfer applications, generators and water pipes.
Copper finds applications across many industries, for example in construction, electric and electronic products, and industrial machinery.