Is 3D Printing Considered a Manufacturing Process Within the Scope of NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156?

The inquiry asks if metal additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is considered a manufacturing process within the scope of NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156. If not, the inquiry wonders if a material or alloy listed as acceptable for certain metallurgical conditions would still be acceptable when processed by 3D printing, provided that the hardness limits are observed.

3D Metal Printing and NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156

The response indicates that 3D metal printing and metal additive manufacturing are not defined in NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156. Therefore, simply meeting the hardness limits is insufficient, as 3D metal printing is not an acceptable process route.

Acceptability of UNS N07718 Component Processed by 3D Printing

Regarding UNS N07718, if the 3D printed condition is equivalent to the cast condition defined for this alloy, then the 3D printed component may be acceptable. However, it is unknown if the 3D printed condition is equivalent to the cast condition. Therefore, the production route would need to qualify in accordance with NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156-3 Appendix B for the 3D printed component to be acceptable.

Conclusion

This inquiry pertains to NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156-2 Annex A.2.1.2 and A.2.2.2, and the ISO 15156 Maintenance Panel Inquiry reference is #2016-03.