300M Stainless Steel Powder

300M has a high nickel and chromium content which gives it excellent corrosion resistance comparable to 304 and 316 stainless steel. The composition is controlled within narrow ranges as shown below:

300M Stainless Steel Powder Composition

Element	Composition Range
Carbon (C)	0.05% max
Silicon (Si)	1.0% max
Manganese (Mn)	2.0% max
Phosphorus (P)	0.03% max
Sulfur (S)	0.01% max
Chromium (Cr)	24.0-26.0%
Nickel (Ni)	19.0-22.0%
Molybdenum (Mo)	4.0-5.0%
Nitrogen (N)	0.10-0.16%
Iron (Fe)	Balance

The key alloying elements like chromium, nickel, and molybdenum give 300M stainless its unique properties. The high chromium content provides excellent corrosion and oxidation resistance. Nickel further enhances this by making the steel more resistant to reducing acids. Molybdenum improves pitting and crevice corrosion resistance in chlorides.

Nitrogen is also added to stabilize the austenitic structure and increase strength through solid solution strengthening. Carbon is restricted to minimize carbide precipitation. The end result is a versatile corrosion resistant steel powder ideal for additive manufacturing.

300M Stainless Steel Powder Properties

300M stainless steel provides an excellent combination of high strength and good ductility along with outstanding corrosion resistance. Some key properties are outlined below:

300M Stainless Steel Powder Properties

Property	Value
Density	7.9 g/cm3
Melting Point	1370°C (2500°F)
Thermal Conductivity	12 W/m-K
Electrical Resistivity	72 μΩ-cm
Modulus of Elasticity	200 GPa
Poisson’s Ratio	0.29
Tensile Strength	165ksi (1140 MPa)
Yield Strength	140ksi (965 MPa)
Elongation	35%

The austenitic structure gives 300M enhanced toughness and ductility compared to martensitic grades. It also makes the steel non-magnetic. The material has good strength up to 600°C and can be used at cryogenic temperatures. Corrosion resistance is comparable to 316L grade. Wear resistance is lower than martensitic grades but machinability is excellent.

Overall, 300M offers an exceptional balance of strength, ductility, fracture toughness, and corrosion resistance making it suitable for demanding additive manufacturing applications across industries like aerospace, chemical processing, oil & gas, etc.

300M Stainless Steel Powder Applications

Some typical uses and applications of 300M stainless steel powder include:

300M Stainless Steel Powder Applications

Industry	Common Applications
Aerospace	Engine components, structural parts, landing gear
Automotive	Valve bodies, pump parts, turbocharger components
Medical	Implants, prosthetics, surgical instruments
Chemical	Pumps, valves, pipe fittings
Oil & Gas	Downhole tools, wellhead parts, offshore components
Industrial	Food processing equipment, press plates, dies and molds
Consumer	Watch cases, jewelry, decorative artware

The excellent corrosion resistance allows 300M to withstand harsh operating environments in industries like oil & gas, chemical processing, pollution control, etc. where parts are exposed to acids, alkalis, salts, or chlorides.

In aerospace applications, it offers high strength for weight reduction combined with good creep and fatigue resistance at elevated temperatures. The austenitic structure gives excellent fracture toughness.

In medical uses like implants and surgical tools, the good biocompatibility and high strength of 300M stainless are advantageous. For consumer products, the attractive appearance and ability to polish to a mirror finish make it suitable for decorative applications.

Additive manufacturing enables producing components with complex geometries and internal features which are not possible with conventional fabrication routes. This expands the design freedom and range of applications for 300M stainless steel powder.

300M Stainless Steel Powder Specifications

300M powder is commercially available in different size ranges, morphologies, and blends tailored for various additive manufacturing processes. Some key specifications are provided below:

300M Stainless Steel Powder Specifications

Parameter	Typical Values
Particle shape	Spherical, satellite, irregular
Particle size	15-45 μm, 15-53 μm, 53-150 μm
Apparent density	2.5-4.5 g/cm3
Tap density	3.5-4.5 g/cm3
Flow rate	15-25 s/50g
Carbon content	< 0.05 wt%
Oxygen content	< 0.15 wt%
Nitrogen content	0.10-0.16 wt%
Hydrogen content	< 0.0015 wt%

• Spherical powders spread easily and have good flowability for uniform layer deposition. They are ideal for SLS/DMLS processes.
• Irregular and satellite morphologies provide better packing density for binder jetting.
• Smaller particle sizes (~20 μm) are preferred for better resolution and surface finish.
• Larger sizes (~45-150 μm) improve powder flow and reduce recoater jamming.

-chemistry, especially of interstitial elements like C, N, O, H is controlled to avoid vaporization and porosity issues during printing.

Gases like nitrogen and argon may be used during atomization to minimize oxidation and hydrogen pickup. Alloying elements are adjusted to compensate for vapor losses during processing.

300M Stainless Steel Powder Suppliers

300M powder is offered by several leading suppliers of materials for metal additive manufacturing:

300M Stainless Steel Powder Suppliers

Company	Brand Names	Particle Sizes Available
Sandvik	Osprey 300M	15-45 μm, 53-150 μm
Carpenter Additive	300M-18, 300M-28	15-53 μm
Praxair	TruForm 300M	15-45 μm
SLM Solutions	300M	15-45 μm
EOS	StainlessSteel 300M	20-50 μm
LPW Technology	LF300M	15-45 μm

The major powder producers use gas atomization to make spherical 300M powder suitable for laser powder bed fusion processes like selective laser melting (SLM) and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS).

Other niche suppliers offer water-atomized and plasma atomized 300M powder with more irregular morphologies at lower costs. These are oriented towards binder jetting applications.

Overall, 300M powder is readily available globally from metal AM material suppliers, ensuring a reliable supply chain for end-users.

300M Stainless Steel Powder Costs

300M powder is costlier than more common grades like 316L stainless due to its specialized composition containing high nickel, chromium, and molybdenum. Some typical price ranges are shown below:

300M Stainless Steel Powder Costs

Powder Grade	Morphology	Price Range
300M pre-alloyed	Spherical	$60-100 per kg
300M water-atomized	Irregular	$30-60 per kg

• Pre-alloyed spherical powders made by gas atomization are costlier due to higher production costs and better quality.
• Water-atomized or plasma atomized irregular powders are cheaper but have higher oxygen content.
• Larger particle sizes (>45 μm) have lower prices due to higher yield during manufacturing.
• Smaller quantities and custom blends are costlier. Bulk orders can negotiate better pricing.
• Blended elemental powders can provide cost savings but have lower performance than pre-alloys.
• Recycled powders are ~20-30% cheaper but have limited reuse.

Overall 300M powder costs $30-100 per kg based on grade, quality, morphology, size ranges, order volumes, and supplier pricing. Costs are coming down with increasing competition and advances in atomization technology.

300M Stainless Steel Powder Handling

300M powder should be handled with care to avoid contamination or mixing with other materials. Some guidelines are provided below:

300M Stainless Steel Powder Handling

• Store unopened containers in a dry, inert environment to prevent oxidation and moisture pickup
• Open containers inside gloveboxes filled with argon to prevent air exposure
• Use tools and containers dedicated only for 300M to prevent cross-contamination
• Avoid contact with iron or carbon to prevent composition changes
• Measure powder weight accurately before reuse to control blend ratios
• Sieve powders before reuse to break up agglomerates and remove large particles
• Do not pour powder directly back into the main container to prevent mixing of new and used powder
• Clean equipment thoroughly between handling batches to prevent cross-contamination

Proper handling and storage helps maintain the powder composition, morphology, flowability and reuse properties. Contamination can negatively impact material properties or cause printing defects.

300M Stainless Steel Powder Storage

300M powder should be stored in the following conditions:

300M Stainless Steel Powder Storage

• Store in original sealed containers until ready to use
• Use inert gas sealing or vacuum packaging for long-term storage
• Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight
• Ambient temperatures between 10-25°C are ideal for storage
• Avoid temperature swings and humidity which can cause condensation
• Use desiccant bags when opening containers to absorb moisture
• Limit storage time to 6-12 months for pre-alloyed powders to avoid oxidation
• Rotate stock using a first-in-first-out (FIFO) system

Proper storage is crucial to prevent powder degradation over time by moisture, oxygen, or other environmental factors. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for maximum shelf life.

300M Stainless Steel Powder Safety

300M powder requires handling precautions similar to other fine stainless steel powders:

300M Stainless Steel Powder Safety

• Use appropriate PPE during handling – gloves, respirators, eye protection
• Avoid breathing powder dust – use ventilation and masks
• Avoid skin contact to prevent sensitization – use gloves
• Use spark-proof tools and vacuum systems designed for combustible dust
• Inert gas gloveboxes provide protection during handling
• Explosion proof lighting and electrical equipment are recommended
• Follow SDS precautions and wear PPE mentioned during processing
• Maintain cleanliness to avoid particle accumulation and minimize risks
• Use dust collection systems and housekeeping procedures to lower combustible dust hazards

Finely divided powders pose risks like sensitization from prolonged exposure and explosion hazards from dust accumulation. Awareness, training, and safe practices are essential.

300M Stainless Steel Powder Printing

300M requires optimized printing parameters tailored for the alloy:

300M Stainless Steel Printing Parameters

• Laser power/energy density: 150-220 W, 50-90 J/mm3
• Scan speeds: 600-1200 mm/s
• Hatch spacing: 80-120 μm
• Layer thickness: 20-50 μm
• Counterflow argon is preferred over nitrogen
• Oxygen levels below 1000 ppm prevent oxidation
• Preheating to 80-150°C reduces residual stresses
• Stress relief heat treatments mandatory to prevent cracking

Key considerations include minimizing thermal stresses and avoiding hot cracking issues to achieve high density prints. Some degree of parameter tweaking is needed to optimize for specific printer models.

300M Stainless Steel Powder Post-Processing

Typical post-processing methods for 300M parts include:

300M Stainless Steel Part Post-Processing

• Support removal using EDM or sand blasting
• Stress relieving at 1065-1120°C for 1-2 hours to prevent cracking
• Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) to eliminate internal voids and improve fatigue strength
• Heat treatment at 900-950°C to adjust hardness/strength
• Sanding, bead blasting, grinding, polishing to improve surface finish
• Passivation in nitric acid for removing heat tint and enhancing corrosion resistance
• Shot peening to induce compressive stresses and improve fatigue life
• Coatings like PVD, CVD can provide wear/corrosion resistance or unique appearances

Multi-step finishing is often necessary to achieve the desired material properties, dimensional accuracy, surface quality, and aesthetics. The process depends on application requirements.

300M Stainless Steel Powder Quality Control

Extensive testing should be performed to ensure powder and printed part quality:

300M Stainless Steel Powder Testing

Test	Details
Chemical analysis	ICP-OES, ICP-MS, wet chemistry, spark OES
Particle size distribution	Laser diffraction, sieve analysis
Morphology	SEM imaging, microscopy
Powder density	Scott volumeter, Hall flowmeter
Flow rate	Hall flowmeter
Moisture analysis	Thermogravimetric analysis

300M Stainless Steel Part Testing

Test	Details
Density	Archimedes’, Helium pycnometry
Surface roughness	Profilometer, interferometry
Hardness	Rockwell, Vickers, Brinell
Tensile strength	ASTM E8
Microstructure	Optical microscopy, image analysis
Layer bonding	Electron microscopy, dye penetrant
Porosity	X-ray tomography, image analysis
Surface defects	Penetrant testing, microscopy

Comprehensive testing as per industrial standards ensures consistent powder quality and printed part performance. It minimizes defects and prevents part failures in service.

Advantages of 300M Stainless Steel Powder

Some of the advantages of using 300M powder for additive manufacturing include:

• Excellent corrosion resistance comparable to 316L stainless steel
• High strength with good ductility and fracture toughness
• Can be processed easily using laser powder bed fusion, binder jetting, etc.
• Good dimensional accuracy and surface finish in printed parts
• Performs well in harsh environments and at elevated temperatures
• Can produce complex geometries not possible with conventional methods
• Parts can be heat treated to tailor properties like hardness, strength, etc.
• Offers design flexibility not limited by typical manufacturing constraints
• Saves material, energy, and costs versus subtractive methods
• Widely available from leading suppliers to ensure reliable material supply

The combination of outstanding material properties, advanced manufacturability, and customizability make 300M an ideal alloy for mission-critical AM components across industries.

Limitations of 300M Stainless Steel Powder

300M also has some limitations to consider:

• More expensive than common alloys like 316L or 17-4PH stainless
• Requires optimized processing parameters tailored for the alloy
• Sensitive to contamination from improper powder handling
• Need for hot isostatic pressing (HIP) to eliminate internal voids
• Lower wear resistance than martensitic stainless steel powders
• Requires post-processing and finishing operations
• High thermal stresses can cause cracking; heat treatments mandatory
• Oxidation and nitrogen absorption can occur during processing
• Parts may require supports to avoid deformation during printing
• Limited number of suppliers compared to more common alloys

The specialized composition, high cost, and need for controlled processing conditions limit its use to critical applications where performance justifies the higher cost.

300M vs 316L vs 17-4PH Stainless Steel Powder

How does 300M compare against other popular stainless steel powders like 316L and 17-4PH?

Comparison of Stainless Steel Powders

Alloy	Composition	Properties	Applications
300M	High Ni, Cr, Mo	Excellent corrosion resistance, good ductility and toughness, high strength to 600°C	Aerospace, oil & gas, chemical, high temp uses
316L	Medium Ni, Cr	Excellent corrosion resistance, readily weldable, good bio-compatibility	Marine hardware, medical implants, food processing
17-4PH	Medium Ni, Cr + Cu	High hardness and strength, good corrosion resistance, heat treatable	Aerospace, tooling, automotive, plastic molds

300M provides the best combination of corrosion resistance and useful strength at elevated temperatures. 17-4PH is preferred for applications

300M stainless steel powder is a specialized material used in powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing applications. This high-alloy austenitic stainless steel exhibits excellent corrosion resistance and high strength properties.

300M powder can be used to create complex metal components using advanced manufacturing techniques like selective laser sintering (SLS), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), and binder jetting. The fine spherical powders spread easily and sinter uniformly, producing dense parts.

Here is more content continuing the comparison between 300M, 316L, and 17-4PH stainless steel powders:

Detailed Comparison

• 300M has higher tensile strength than 316L and lower ductility. It maintains strength up to 600°C better than 316L.
• 316L has the best all-round corrosion resistance followed by 300M and 17-4PH. 300M resists pitting and crevice corrosion better than 316L.
• 17-4PH achieves the highest hardness after heat treatment but has lower toughness than 300M and 316L.
• 300M has higher nickel content than 316L and 17-4PH which improves corrosion resistance. 17-4PH contains copper for precipitation hardening.
• 300M is used in specialized applications requiring strength at elevated temperatures like aerospace components. 316L is widely used in corrosive environments across industries where high strength is not critical.
• 17-4PH suits applications requiring high hardness like molds, tooling, and wear-resistant parts for automotive and consumer uses.
• 300M and 17-4PH powders are more expensive than common 316L powder. 17-4PH is relatively easier to process by laser sintering than 300M.
• All three are readily weldable grades in the annealed/solutionized condition. 17-4PH requires aging treatment after welding to restore properties.
• 300M requires stress relieving heat treatments after printing to prevent cracking. 17-4PH is typically H900 heat treated post-build for optimal properties.

In summary, 300M fills a niche between generalized corrosion resistance of 316L and high strength/hardness of martensitic 17-4PH. It provides the best elevated temperature properties crucial for aerospace applications.

300M Stainless Steel Powder Questions

Here are some common questions asked about 300M stainless steel powder:

300M Stainless Steel Powder FAQs

Q: What particle size is best for printing 300M stainless steel?

A: 15-45 microns is recommended for SLM/DMLS. Larger sizes 45-100 microns improve flowability but reduce resolution.

Q: What is the typical density achieved for 300M parts printed by laser powder bed fusion?

A: Printed density over 99% is achievable with optimized parameters. HIP helps eliminate internal voids.

Q: What is the typical surface roughness of as-printed 300M parts?

A: Around 10-15 microns Ra surface roughness is typical, which can be reduced to under 1 micron by polishing.

Q: Does 300M require any post-processing heat treatments?

A: Yes, stress-relieving at 1065-1120°C to prevent cracking followed by cooling at <50°C/hr is recommended.

Q: What are some typical applications of binder-jet printed 300M parts?

A: Tooling components, jigs, fixtures, plastic injection molds are common applications benefitting from the hardness and corrosion resistance.

Q: How should unused 300M powder be stored for reuse?

A: In a dry, inert atmosphere sealed container at 10-25°C for up to 1 year. Store away from iron contamination.

Q: Can you heat treat 300M to increase its hardness?

A: Yes, aging at 900-950°C can increase hardness up to 38 HRC similar to precipitation hardening grades.

This covers some key questions about 300M powder. Please reach out for any other specific queries.

Conclusion

In summary, 300M stainless steel powder provides an exceptional combination of high strength, good ductility, excellent elevated temperature properties, and corrosion resistance unmatched by other alloys. It is ideal for critical aerospace, oil & gas, and chemical industry components printed using the latest additive manufacturing techniques.

Care needs to be taken during storage, handling, and processing to achieve optimal material properties. Testing and quality control are also essential at all stages. The higher costs limit its use to niche applications where performance justifies the price premium over common alloys.

With increasing maturity of AM technology and future cost reductions, specialized alloys like 300M will see expanded adoption across industries looking to benefit from their unique properties and customize components for maximum performance.