Comparative Study of BASF Ultrafuse 316L and Markforged 17-4PH Stainless Steel Filaments Processed by Fused Filament Fabrication
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
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Automotive Engineering (Other)
Journal Section
Review
Early Pub Date
December 10, 2025
Publication Date
December 17, 2025
Submission Date
August 16, 2025
Acceptance Date
December 9, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 9 Number: 1st Future of Vehicles Conf.
APA
Kókai, E., & Simon, N. (2025). Comparative Study of BASF Ultrafuse 316L and Markforged 17-4PH Stainless Steel Filaments Processed by Fused Filament Fabrication. International Journal of Automotive Science And Technology, 9(1st Future of Vehicles Conf.), 77-81. https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech..1767208
AMA
1.Kókai E, Simon N. Comparative Study of BASF Ultrafuse 316L and Markforged 17-4PH Stainless Steel Filaments Processed by Fused Filament Fabrication. IJASTECH. 2025;9(1st Future of Vehicles Conf.):77-81. doi:10.30939/ijastech.1767208
Chicago
Kókai, Eszter, and Norbert Simon. 2025. “Comparative Study of BASF Ultrafuse 316L and Markforged 17-4PH Stainless Steel Filaments Processed by Fused Filament Fabrication”. International Journal of Automotive Science And Technology 9 (1st Future of Vehicles Conf.): 77-81. https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech. 1767208.
EndNote
Kókai E, Simon N (December 1, 2025) Comparative Study of BASF Ultrafuse 316L and Markforged 17-4PH Stainless Steel Filaments Processed by Fused Filament Fabrication. International Journal of Automotive Science And Technology 9 1st Future of Vehicles Conf. 77–81.
IEEE
[1]E. Kókai and N. Simon, “Comparative Study of BASF Ultrafuse 316L and Markforged 17-4PH Stainless Steel Filaments Processed by Fused Filament Fabrication”, IJASTECH, vol. 9, no. 1st Future of Vehicles Conf., pp. 77–81, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.30939/ijastech..1767208.
ISNAD
Kókai, Eszter - Simon, Norbert. “Comparative Study of BASF Ultrafuse 316L and Markforged 17-4PH Stainless Steel Filaments Processed by Fused Filament Fabrication”. International Journal of Automotive Science And Technology 9/1st Future of Vehicles Conf. (December 1, 2025): 77-81. https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech. 1767208.
JAMA
1.Kókai E, Simon N. Comparative Study of BASF Ultrafuse 316L and Markforged 17-4PH Stainless Steel Filaments Processed by Fused Filament Fabrication. IJASTECH. 2025;9:77–81.
MLA
Kókai, Eszter, and Norbert Simon. “Comparative Study of BASF Ultrafuse 316L and Markforged 17-4PH Stainless Steel Filaments Processed by Fused Filament Fabrication”. International Journal of Automotive Science And Technology, vol. 9, no. 1st Future of Vehicles Conf., Dec. 2025, pp. 77-81, doi:10.30939/ijastech. 1767208.
Vancouver
1.Eszter Kókai, Norbert Simon. Comparative Study of BASF Ultrafuse 316L and Markforged 17-4PH Stainless Steel Filaments Processed by Fused Filament Fabrication. IJASTECH. 2025 Dec. 1;9(1st Future of Vehicles Conf.):77-81. doi:10.30939/ijastech. 1767208
