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Steel in 3D Printing: Stainless Steel, Tool Steel and Quenched and Tempered Steel
In metal 3D printing, steels are processed by selective laser melting (SLM) – from corrosion-resistant stainless steels such as 1.4404 (316L) and high-strength precipitation-hardening stainless steels such as 1.4540 to tool steels such as 1.2709, which achieve a tensile strength of over 2,000 MPa after heat treatment. Typical parts include highly stressed functional parts, tool inserts with cooling channels, knives and spare parts.
On the PROTIQ Marketplace, you choose from a wide range of steels, upload your 3D data and compare the offers – PROTIQ is itself one of the manufacturers.
- 2,030 ± 70 MPatensile strength of tool steel 1.2709 (heat-treated)
- 1,730 ± 10 MPatensile strength of stainless steel CX (heat-treated)
- min. 30%elongation at break of stainless steel 1.4404 (as built)
- 0.4 mmminimum wall thickness of the steels with a PROTIQ data sheet
Steels at a glance
Which steels are available for 3D printing?
The PROTIQ Marketplace offers corrosion-resistant and high-strength stainless steels, tool steels, quenched and tempered steels as well as low-alloy and heat-resistant steels. They differ mainly in corrosion resistance, strength and hardness.
Steels with a PROTIQ data sheet
| Material | Characteristics | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile strength (MPa) | Hardness | Data sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel 1.4404 (316L) | Austenitic stainless steel, very good corrosion resistance and toughness | 7.9 | 670 ± 50 (as built) | 85 HRB (as built) | |
| Stainless steel 1.4540 (PH1) | Precipitation-hardening stainless steel, high strength | 7.7 | 1,200 ± 50 (as built) min. 1,340 (heat-treated) |
30–35 HRC (as built) min. 40 HRC (heat-treated) |
|
| Stainless steel CX | Stainless tool steel, very high strength after heat treatment | 7.7 | 1,080 (as built) 1,730 ± 10 (heat-treated) |
50 HRC (heat-treated) | |
| Tool steel 1.2709 (MS1) | Maraging tool steel | 8–8.1 | 1,100 ± 100 (as built) 2,030 ± 70 (heat-treated) |
33–37 HRC (as built) 53 ± 2 HRC (heat-treated) |
Values according to the PROTIQ material data sheet, laser-melted.
Further steels on the Marketplace
In addition, further steels are available on the PROTIQ Marketplace, for example:
- Stainless steel 1.4542 (17-4PH) – precipitation-hardening, high-strength stainless steel
- Hot-work tool steel 1.2343 (H11) – tool steel for thermally stressed tools
- Quenched and tempered steel 1.7225 – widely used in mechanical engineering, high strength and toughness
- Low-alloy steels S420 (1.0980) and S700 (1.8974)
- Heat-resistant steel 1.5415 – for parts subject to thermal loads
You can find the properties in the data sheets in the configurator. You can see which steels are currently available in the configurator – or contact us directly.
↑ Back to overviewSelection
Which steel is right for my part?
That depends on what your part needs to do above all: corrosion resistance, high strength, hardness and wear resistance or suitability as a tool.
Corrosion-resistant
For parts in contact with media or cleaning processes: stainless steel 1.4404 (316L).
High-strength and stainless
For stressed functional parts: the precipitation-hardening stainless steels 1.4540, 1.4542 or CX.
Tools and inserts
For injection mold inserts with cooling channels and tools: 1.2709 (MS1), H11 (1.2343) or stainless steel CX.
Hard and wear-resistant
For knives and parts subject to wear: the hard stainless knife steel 1.4125.
Process
How is steel 3D printed?
Steel parts are produced by selective laser melting (SLM): metal powder is applied in thin layers onto a build platform, and a laser melts it along the contour of the part. Layer by layer, the part is created – directly from the CAD data, without molds or tooling.
Benefits of steel in selective laser melting
- High strength and temperature resistance
- Hardenable and easy to post-process
- Good dimensional accuracy and detail precision
- Wide choice of materials for different requirements
- More design freedom than with conventional manufacturing processes, for example for integrated cooling channels
How selective laser melting works
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Post-processing
How are 3D-printed steel parts post-processed?
After printing, the support structures are removed. An optional heat treatment follows to relieve stresses or set hardness and strength. Depending on the requirements, the surface is ground, blasted or polished; fits and tightly toleranced functional surfaces are machined, for example by milling, turning or reaming.
For the steels with a PROTIQ data sheet, the guideline values are a minimum wall thickness of 0.4 mm and an accuracy of ± 0.7% (min. 0.1 mm).
Tip: cut threads afterwards
Threads can be printed directly, but it is recommended to add them in a subsequent machining step: printed threads are too coarse and rough to function reliably. If, on the other hand, the core hole diameter is printed, standard threads can be cut perfectly into the solid material.
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Applications
What are 3D-printed steel parts used for?
Mainly in mechanical engineering and tool making, in chemical and food technology, for knives and for spare parts that are no longer available.
Mechanical engineering and tool making
Highly stressed functional parts, brackets, connecting elements and complex geometries made of steel and stainless steel. Tool steels such as 1.2709 and H11 (1.2343) offer high hardness, wear resistance and temperature resistance – and tool inserts can be manufactured directly with integrated cooling channels. More about tool making
Chemical and food technology
Corrosion-resistant stainless steels such as 1.4404 (316L) are suitable for nozzles, valves, brackets or housings that come into contact with aggressive media or cleaning processes. 3D printing makes easy-to-clean geometries without weld seams possible.
Classic cars and spare parts
Many metal parts for classic cars and older machines are no longer available. Brackets, housings or functional parts can be reproduced in steel or stainless steel as one-offs – without tooling. More about spare parts
↑ Back to overview3D data available
Order a steel part
Upload your CAD data, choose the steel and compare the offers with price and delivery time.
Upload file nowIdea or project
Discuss your project
Do you have an idea or a specific project? We will be happy to advise you on material, heat treatment and post-processing.
Start project requestCompare materials
All metals
Aluminum, titanium, copper and other metals for 3D printing at a glance.
To the metals overviewFAQ
Frequently asked questions about steel in 3D printing
Which steels can be 3D printed?
The PROTIQ Marketplace offers, among others, stainless steels such as 1.4404 (316L), 1.4540, 1.4542, CX and 1.4125, tool steels such as 1.2709 and 1.2343 (H11), quenched and tempered steels as well as low-alloy and heat-resistant steels. They are processed by selective laser melting (SLM).
Which steel is the most corrosion-resistant?
For corrosive media and cleaning processes, the austenitic stainless steel 1.4404 (316L) is the proven choice. The precipitation-hardening stainless steels 1.4542, 1.4540 and CX are also stainless, but are designed primarily for high strength.
How strong is 3D-printed steel?
That depends heavily on the material and the heat treatment. According to the PROTIQ data sheets, the tensile strength ranges from 670 ± 50 MPa for stainless steel 1.4404 to 2,030 ± 70 MPa for heat-treated tool steel 1.2709.
Can 3D-printed steel parts be hardened?
Yes. Many steels can be heat-treated after printing to set hardness and strength – for example tool steel 1.2709 to 53 ± 2 HRC or stainless steel CX to 50 HRC, according to the PROTIQ data sheets.
Can threads be printed in steel parts?
It is possible, but it is recommended to cut threads afterwards. Printed threads are too coarse and rough; if the core hole diameter is printed, standard threads can be cut perfectly.
What applications is 3D-printed steel suitable for?
For highly stressed functional parts, tool inserts with cooling channels, brackets and machine parts, corrosion-resistant parts for chemical and food technology, knives and spare parts – from prototype to small batch.
How do I order a steel part?
Upload your 3D data in the configurator, choose the steel and quantity, compare the offers with price and delivery time and select one. If you have questions about material or heat treatment, send us an e-mail.
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