Digital Metal Launches Superalloys for Extreme Applications

Digital Metal has launched two superalloy grades for use in extreme environments – DM 247 and DM 625. Both have undergone extensive in-house testing, says the company. Exhibiting strength and corrosion resistance even when subjected to high heat and stress, these superalloys are said to be suitable for use in challenging applications such as aerospace, automotive and chemical.

The DM 247 is based on the non-weldable MAR M247, which is widely used as material for turbine blades and in other applications with elevated temperatures. The DM 625 is an Inconel 625-grade. Its application areas range from seawater applications and chemical processing equipment, to nuclear industry and aerospace.

So far it has been difficult to use non-weldable materials such as MAR M247 in 3D printing, where high solidification rates and thermal gradients are inherent, says the company. Digital Metal’s binder jetting technology is said to help avoid most of these problems by printing in an ambient temperature without applying any heat, followed by a separate sintering step. During sintering densification takes place without melting and with minimal thermal gradients during cooling from sintering temperature.

“Many producers within the aerospace and automotive business have long been anticipating high-quality superalloys that are suitable for 3D printing,” says Ralf Carlström, general manager at Digital Metal. “Now we can offer them the perfect combination – our binder jetting technology and superalloys that are specially developed for our printers.”