SSAB's emission-free steel powder. (photo courtesy Hugo Leijon)
SSAB is launching emission-free steel powder for commercial deliveries, made of recycled SSAB Zero steel. The product will create opportunities for customers to 3D-print their unique designs in steel produced without fossil carbon dioxide emissions. The powder combines the properties of SSAB's high-strength steel with the light structural possibilities of 3D printing.
"This is a game-changer in the world of 3D-printed steel," said Johnny Sjöström, EVP and Head of SSAB Special Steels. "SSAB has already proven it is possible to produce steel without carbon dioxide emissions. Now we are merging emission-free steel with powder technology to enable sustainable 3D-printed design with unlimited imagination."
A spokesperson said: "The production of steel is a large source of CO2 emissions when it comes to 3D printing of steel products. By pulverizing SSAB's emission-free steel with fossil-free energy sources only, the carbon dioxide emissions from the steelmaking are reduced to virtually zero."
SSAB recently launched its first conventional steel powder to the market, SSAB AM Engineering, and now the portfolio is expanded with SSAB AM Tough Zero. SSAB will also be able to offer its fossil-free steel, based on HYBRIT technology, as a powder in limited volumes.
In 2020, SSAB in Oxelösund invested in a steel powder production facility to produce advanced high-strength steel powder for additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, as a complement to SSAB's regular steel offering.
"Steel powder is ideally suited for limited series of tailormade components or spare parts requiring high structural integrity and optimal functionality," said the spokesperson. "It can be used in a wide variety of industries, from consumer goods to heavy machinery to automotive and more."
"3D printing high-strength steel components will help reduce the amount of raw material used and cut the weight and increase functionality of the final product," said Jesper Vang, Head of SSAB Powder Technology. "This is especially important for industries, such as automotive or heavy machinery, that are trying to save weight, increase performance and reduce their CO2 footprint."
SSAB has already provided prototype fossil-free steel powder to select customers. In 2023, HT Laser 3D-printed the first fossil-free steel component suitable for a forest machine, and mining company Epiroc revealed a prototype hydraulic block for a rock drill in conventional steel powder and said it was exploring the possibility of using fossil-free powder. In 2022, Triwa launched the first consumer product made with fossil-free steel powder-a watch.
To make powder, molten steel tailored for 3D printing is broken up by high pressurized atomization gas, creating small spherical droplets that are solidified into powder. The steel powder is also produced using only fossil-free energy sources.
For more information contact:
SSAB Inc.
300 Corporate Center Dr., Ste. 010
Moon Township, PA 15108
412-203-1620
contactusa@saab.com
www.ssab.com