Fused Filament Fabrication of Metallic Components for Semi-professional and Home Use

“State-of-the-art 3D-printing with metal filaments based on the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) process is discussed in this paper, by a literature review and own printing tests. Commercially available metal filaments (composites with metal powder content) are flexible enough to be processed on a low budget 3D-printer and, by debinding and sintering the produced objects, it is possible to reach 80% and more of the mechanical strength of machined metal counterparts. A market research for available metal filaments from different sellers was conducted. The filament in question is compared by price and its printing and sintering properties, and particularities have been outlined. The prices for these metal filaments range from about €100/kg to €500/kg, with one exception: a filament which contains titanium is being offered for nearly €1500/kg. Objects have been successfully printed from a purchased, sinterable metal filament (“Ultrafuse® 316L” filament from BASF containing steel (DIN 1.4404, X 2 CrNiMo 17 13 2)) with the use of a low-budget 3D-printer to verify its feasibility. The testing model for printing was a “benchy”, which is a common test object in the hobby area of 3D-printing. Physical adjustments which had to be made to the printer itself and the printing parameters, as well as the difficulties faced while printing, are described in detail. This paper should serve hobbyist makers in doing the transition from plastics FFF to metal FFF to allow them to produce more durable parts.”

Full paper published to Springer Nature Link on 26 October 2020 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-62784-3_12