SS6629 12Cr9Ni Die Steel Powder

12Cr9Ni Die-Cast Steel Powder Description

12Cr9Ni is a martensitic stainless steel powder containing 12% Chromium (Cr) and 9% Nickel (Ni), characterised by a low carbon content (≤0,03% C) to enhance toughness and reduce carbides. Alloy additions such as Titanium (Ti) and Aluminium (Al) facilitate precipitation hardening, while Molybdenum (Mo) improves thermal stability. After aging (450-475°C), it achieves a tensile strength exceeding 1,500 MPa and balanced toughness due to its martensitic matrix with reverted austenite phases that mitigate brittleness. Fine precipitates (e.g. Ni3Ti) enhance wear resistance.

The steel retains its mechanical stability up to 450-500°C and offers moderate corrosion resistance due to Chromium, though to a lesser extent than austenitic grades such as 316L. Its low carbon content reduces the risk of stress corrosion cracking in alkaline environments. The powder optimised for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) ensures crack-free manufacturing with high density (>99.9%) through controlled segregation of soluble substances. Post-processing includes solution treatment (~1,000°C) and aging to maximise strength and dimensional stability. It surpasses conventional stainless steels in terms of the strength-toughness ratio and compatibility with additive manufacturing.

12Cr9Ni Die-Cast Steel Powder Applications

1. Tool Manufacturing and Mould Making

Injection Moulds: Suitable for high-precision plastic injection moulds requiring wear resistance and dimensional accuracy under cyclic thermal loads.

Extrusion Tools: Ideal for aluminium or polymer extrusion tools due to their high-temperature resistance (up to 500°C) and abrasion resistance.

2. Aerospace Components

Turbine Blades and Engine Parts: Suitable for critical components exposed to high temperatures and mechanical stresses, where thermal stability and fatigue resistance are crucial.

High-Stress Fasteners: Used in aircraft assemblies due to their high tensile strength (>1,500 MPa) and corrosion resistance.

3. Medical Devices

Surgical Instruments: Biocompatible variants used for scalpels, tweezers, and orthopaedic instruments, characterised by low cytotoxicity and sterilisation compatibility.

Dental Implants: Processed using additive manufacturing (LPBF) for custom-shaped implants with high surface quality and structural integrity.

4. Additive Manufacturing (AM)

Complex Geometries: Enables crack-free 3D printing of complex shapes, lightweight supports for aerospace, and topology-optimised parts due to optimised segregation of soluble substances (Ti/Al) and high-density (>99.9%) manufacturing.

5. Automotive Industry

High-Performance Engine Components: Used in turbocharger components and valve systems due to heat resistance and oxidation stability.

Lightweight Tool Manufacturing: Reduces the weight of stamping tools while maintaining durability in mass production.

6. Energy Sector

Valve Components: Employed in oil and gas pipelines or nuclear reactors due to corrosion resistance in mildly aggressive environments.

Parts for Thermal Power Plants: Withstands cyclic thermal stresses in turbine casings and exhaust systems.

12Cr9Ni Die Steel Powder Packaging

Our products are packaged in custom cartons of various sizes based on material dimensions. Small items are securely packed in PP cartons, whereas larger items are placed in specially made wooden crates. We ensure strict compliance with packaging specifications and the use of appropriate cushioning materials to provide optimal protection during transit.

Packaging: Carton, wooden crate, or customised.

Please refer to the packaging details for your information.

Manufacturing Process

1)Testing Procedures

(1) Chemical Composition Analysis - Verified using techniques such as GDMS or XRF to ensure compliance with purity requirements.

(2) Mechanical Properties Testing - Includes tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation tests to assess material performance.

(3) Dimensional Examination - Measures thickness, width, and length to ensure compliance with specified tolerances.

(4) Surface Quality Inspection - Checking for defects such as scratches, cracks, or inclusions through visual and ultrasonic examination.

(5) Hardness Testing - Determines material hardness to confirm uniformity and mechanical reliability.

For detailed information, please refer to the SAM Testing Procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions about 12Cr9Ni Die-Cast Steel Powder

Q1. How does it compare to 17-4PH or 316L stainless steel?

vs. 17-4PH: Higher toughness and better printability (lower risk of hot cracking).

vs. 316L: Higher strength and wear resistance, but lower corrosion resistance in harsh environments.

Q2. Is it suitable for corrosive environments?

Provides moderate corrosion resistance (due to Cr content), but requires coatings with prolonged contact with acids or chlorides.

Q3. Which AM technologies are compatible?

Optimised for Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) due to the controlled segregation of soluble substances (Ti/Al) and high packing density.

Performance Comparison Table with Competing Products

Related Information

1.Common Processing Methods

The production of 12Cr9Ni die-cast steel powder employs gas atomisation to generate spherical particles optimised for additive manufacturing. In this process, the alloy (comprising 12% Cr, 9% Ni, ≤0,03% C, and traces of Ti/Al/Mo) is melted and atomised using high-pressure inert gas (Ar or N₂). This yields powder with a controlled particle size range of 15-45 µm, sphericity of >95%, and oxygen content below 100 ppm. This powder is specifically designed for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and requires optimised parameters such as laser power (200-350 W), scan speed (800-1,200 mm/s), and layer thickness (20-40 µm) to achieve crack-free parts with a density of >99.9%.

Post-processing includes a two-step heat treatment: solution annealing at 1,000-1,050°C for 1 to 2 hours to homogenise the microstructure, followed by aging at 450-475°C for 4-6 hours to precipitate hardening phases such as Ni₃Ti, resulting in tensile strengths of ~1,800 MPa and a hardness of 40-45 HRC. Quality assurance includes rigorous powder characterisation (size distribution via laser diffraction, chemical analysis via ICP-OES/XRF) and mechanical validation (tensile testing per ASTM E8, SEM/TEM microstructural analysis). This method ensures scalability, AM compatibility, and tuneable mechanical properties for applications in tool making, aerospace, and medical devices.