Which materials are most suitable for WAAM 3D printing of stainless steel parts?

Austenitic Stainless Steels (304 & 316L)

Austenitic grades—especially 304 and 316L stainless steel—are the most widely used materials for WAAM due to their excellent weldability, stable austenite structure, and low risk of cracking. Their high corrosion resistance and toughness make them ideal for marine structures, pressure components, industrial frames, and chemical processing equipment. The smooth wire feed and stable arc behavior of these alloys ensure consistent bead formation during high-deposition WAAM builds.

Duplex and Super Duplex Stainless Steels

Duplex grades are suitable for WAAM when components require higher strength and improved resistance to pitting, chloride stress cracking, and abrasive environments. These alloys are particularly valuable in marine, oil and gas, and subsea applications. However, process control is more demanding to maintain the correct ferrite-austenite balance. When properly managed, WAAM duplex stainless steels deliver excellent mechanical properties for large structural parts.

Ferritic and Martensitic Stainless Steels

Ferritic and martensitic stainless steels can be used in WAAM for components requiring higher hardness, wear resistance, or thermal stability. These alloys often serve in tooling, wear plates, blades, and pump components used in mining and industrial machinery. While they have good arc stability, martensitic grades may require preheat and post-heat treatment to prevent cracking and ensure uniform mechanical performance.

Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steels (17-4 PH & 15-5 PH)

Precipitation-hardening alloys such as 17-4 PH and 15-5 PH are also compatible with WAAM, particularly when higher strength is required. These alloys respond well to post-deposition heat treatment, enabling engineers to tune final hardness and toughness. They are frequently used in aerospace fixtures, industrial tooling, and corrosion-critical equipment.