Process Compatibility Analysis of Binders in Binder Jetting Additive Manufacturing of 316L Stainless Steel Powders

HE Mingzhi; LIU Wei; ZHU Chundong; CHEN Mingchao; YU Zhongquan

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.09.014

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (9) : 135-142. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.09.014

Additive Manufacturing

Process Compatibility Analysis of Binders in Binder Jetting Additive Manufacturing of 316L Stainless Steel Powders

HE Mingzhi¹, LIU Wei¹, ZHU Chundong², CHEN Mingchao³, YU Zhongquan⁴

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Abstract

The work aims to develop and evaluate a water-based binder tailored for binder jetting (BJ) additive manufacturing of 316L stainless steel, with focus on its thermal decomposition behavior, powder wetting and binding mechanism, forming accuracy, sintering densification, and mechanical performance to verify its application value in the BJ process. Jetability was evaluated through viscosity and surface tension measurements, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to determine the debinding-sintering strategy. The microstructure of green bodies was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while dimensional accuracy, green density, and sintering shrinkage were quantitatively analyzed. The mechanical properties of the sintered parts were further tested and compared with those specified for MIM-316L in the MPIF standard. The binder exhibited an Ohnesorge number of 0.132-0.144, indicating stable droplet formation. A multi-stage and smooth weight-loss behavior was observed from 30 to 800 ℃, with minimal carbon residue. The printed specimens demonstrated high dimensional consistency across the x, y, and z directions, with stable sintering shrinkage and poor anisotropy. The sintered parts achieved a tensile strength of 540-560 MPa and an elongation of 76.7%-86.7%, with a relatively low correlation with the jetting direction. The developed binder demonstrates excellent process adaptability in terms of jetting stability, powder wetting and penetration, uniformity of the initial green body structure, and controllability during the debinding stage. The use of this binder can effectively improve the forming quality of the BJ process. The mechanical properties of its sintered parts are generally superior to those of MPIF standard MIM parts, and it has good application potential.

Key words

binder jetting / 316L stainless steel / water-based binder / dimensional accuracy / mechanical properties

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HE Mingzhi, LIU Wei, ZHU Chundong, CHEN Mingchao, YU Zhongquan. Process Compatibility Analysis of Binders in Binder Jetting Additive Manufacturing of 316L Stainless Steel Powders[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2026, 18(9): 135-142 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.09.014

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