The Current Technological Landscape in Material Extrusion, Debinding and Sintering of Metal Parts

Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing Debinding and Sintering (MEX+D&S) is a multistep technology that allow to realize metal parts using as feedstock a mixture of polymeric binders and metal powder and a heated nozzle to deposit it layer-by-layer. There are several process parameters that act in each stage and can influence the part performances on a micro and macro level. The actual results in terms of density, mechanical and microstructural properties and shrinkage for stainless steel (316L and 17-4 PH) and pure copper parts are reported and discussed. Furthermore, an overview of outlooks and sustainable approaches are summarized.