Comparative Study of BASF Ultrafuse 316L and Markforged 17-4PH Stainless Steel Filaments Processed by Fused Filament Fabrication

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 1st Future of Vehicles Conf., 77 - 81, 17.12.2025

Eszter Kókai , Norbert Simon

https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech..1767208

Abstract

Metal additive manufacturing is receiving increased attention today, as major industries such as the automotive, aerospace, and medical sectors place a stronger emphasis on it. Among the numerous technologies, fused filament fabrication (FFF) is gaining more focus due to its relatively low equipment cost and ease of application. The production of a solid metal part begins with the extrusion of a metal powder-filled filament, followed by printing, debinding, and heat treatment, through which the final strength is achieved.
Among the commercially available filaments, stainless steel–based composites are the most widespread, as they offer good printability, corrosion resistance, and mechanical stability. The two most used materials in this category are BASF Ultrafuse 316L and Markforged 17-4PH alloys. These two materials lend themselves well to comparison, as they are designed for the same manufacturing technology but exhibit different metallurgical behaviors and process requirements, thus providing a comprehensive view of the capabilities and limitations of metal FFF technology.
In this study, we aim to demonstrate how these two materials differ in their processing requirements, microstructural evolution, and resulting mechanical performance, and to show what can be achieved when manufacturing metal composites using FFF technology. The main differences between the two filaments are presented in a comparative table to provide a clear and structured overview of their distinct characteristics.

Keywords

Additive Manufacturing , BASF Ultrafuse 316L , Markforged 17-4PH , Metal FFF

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