Wire-Based Processes (DED-LB/M, DED-Arc/M)
Metal wire as feedstock is non-explosive and not an inhalation hazard — safer handling than powder. High material utilization (>90 %), no powder recovery, more cost-effective raw materials.
Materials
Materials for Metal 3D Printing
Overview of common material classes for industrial metal 3D printing. The processability of a material depends, among other things, on the process (PBF-LB/M, DED-LB/M, DED-Arc/M), the system used, the process window and the component requirements. Not every material is available or suitable for every process.
30+
Validated Alloys
6
Material Families
99.9%
Density Achievable
>90%
Material Utilization
Properties
Feedstock: Wire or Powder?
The choice of feedstock (wire or powder) depends on the process and influences material costs, handling, process control and application areas. DED-LB/M and DED-Arc/M processes often use wire; PBF-LB/M processes work exclusively with powder.
Powder-Based Processes (PBF-LB/M)
Metal powder in a powder bed enables highly complex geometries and fine structures. Unmelted powder can be partially recycled. Careful powder handling, storage and safety measures are required.
Material Selection: Process-Dependent
Not every material is available for every process. Material selection depends on the chosen process, the system, the process window, the component and subsequent post-processing.
Category 01
Stainless Steel
The most widely used material family in metal additive manufacturing — excellent processability in DED-LB/M and DED-Arc/M processes, corrosion resistance, and a broad alloy selection for countless industrial applications.
316L
Austenitic general-purpose stainless. Optimal corrosion resistance, biocompatible, universally applicable.
Chemical plants, medical, food, marine
308L
Welding filler alloy. Low carbon content prevents sensitisation, widely used.
General engineering, weld repair
17-4 PH
Precipitation hardening steel. Very high strength after heat treatment (up to 1310 MPa Rp0.2).
Aerospace, defence, high-load components
304L
Standard stainless. High ductility, good weldability, broad availability.
General use, prototypes
430
Ferritic stainless steel. Magnetic, good heat resistance, more cost-effective than austenite.
Household appliances, automotive
ER2209
Duplex stainless steel. Combines high strength with corrosion resistance — especially against stress corrosion cracking.
Oil & gas, offshore, chemical
Category 02
Nickel Alloys
Superalloys for extreme temperatures and corrosive media — indispensable in aerospace, energy and oil & gas.
Inconel 625
Excellent corrosion resistance from cryogenic to 980 °C. High tensile strength, very good weldability.
Oil & gas, offshore, chemical processing, aerospace
Inconel 718
High-strength nickel alloy for high-temperature applications up to 700 °C. Age-hardenable.
Turbines, rocket engines, high-temperature components
Hastelloy X
Oxidation resistant up to 1200 °C. Combination of high-temperature strength and oxidation resistance.
Gas turbine components, industrial furnaces
Waspaloy
Nickel-base superalloy for gas turbine applications. Good creep resistance at high temperatures.
Aerospace, high-pressure turbines
Category 03
Titanium Alloys
Excellent strength-to-weight ratio, biocompatible and corrosion resistant. Requires inert gas atmosphere during processing.
Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5)
The most widely used titanium alloy. Two-phase α/β alloy with excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility.
Aerospace, medical implants, high-performance applications
CP Titan Grade 2
Commercially pure titanium. Excellent corrosion resistance, good formability and biocompatibility.
Chemical processing, medical, marine
Category 04
Tool Steel & Cobalt Alloys
High-strength materials for toolmaking, mould construction and extreme wear applications. Ideal for repair and cladding.
H11 (1.2343)
Hot-work tool steel. Excellent hot strength and toughness, low distortion on heat treatment.
Die casting tools, forging dies, extrusion tooling
H13 (1.2344)
High-performance hot-work tool steel. Best hot wear resistance, for high-temperature tooling.
Die casting, hot forming, plastic moulds
P20 (1.2311)
Pre-hardened mould steel. Ready to use without further hardening, good polishability.
Injection mould tooling, plastic moulds
Stellite 6
Cobalt-base alloy with extreme wear resistance and corrosion resistance up to 900 °C.
Valve seats, cutting tools, pump impellers
Category 05
Copper Alloys
Highest thermal and electrical conductivity for cooling components, heat exchangers and functional parts. The blue laser (450 nm) ensures optimal absorption for copper.
CuCrZr
Precipitation-hardenable chromium zirconium copper alloy. High thermal conductivity + elevated strength. Ideal for rocket injectors and cooling channels.
Rocket injectors, resistance welding, heat sinks
GRCop-84
NASA-developed copper alloy (Cu-8Cr-4Nb). Retains exceptional strength at elevated temperatures.
Rocket combustion chambers, aerospace, high-temp cooling
Category 06
Special Alloys
For the most demanding requirements: ultra-high-strength steels, special materials and new multi-material combinations.
Maraging 300
Ultra-high-strength tool steel (≥ 1900 MPa). Low carbon, good weldability, extremely load-bearing after ageing treatment.
Mould making, aerospace, defence
Invar 36
Nickel-iron alloy with near-zero thermal expansion coefficient. Indispensable for dimensionally stable structures.
Precision instruments, laser optics, tooling
Rene 41
Nickel-base superalloy for extreme operating temperatures up to 980 °C with high oxidation resistance.
Turbine blades, rocket engines, high-temp structures
Special materials on request
Customer-specific wire materials and special alloys upon request — subject to system compatibility and process window.
Special applications
Important Note
Material Selection: Always Process- and System-Dependent
The specific material selection always depends on the chosen process (DED, LMD, Wire-Laser, WAAM), the system used, the available feedstock (wire or powder), the process window, the component geometry and subsequent post-processing. Not every material is equally available for every process and every system — a technical pre-assessment is recommended.
This content was created in whole or in part with the assistance of artificial intelligence.