After years of delivering ultra-hard 3D-printed metals, VBN Components now introduces Vibenite 130 — a tough, high-strength alloy engineered for fatigue-resistant applications.

For many years, additively manufactured (3D-printed) Vibenite metals have demonstrated consistently high performance across a range of applications. This performance is based on the use of established electron beam melting technology (PBF-EB/M) combined with a proprietary heat-treatment process that unites hot isostatic pressing with rapid quenching (URQ-HIP). The result is materials with very high hardness and wear resistance, exemplified by the 3D-printed Vibenite 290 alloy, which reaches around 76 HRC and is considered one of the hardest steels available.

During the years, VBN customers has also asked for the Vibenite performance level in toughness. In many products such as agricultural wear applications, plastic forming moulds and rock drill bits, an extreme toughness and fatigue resistance is vital.

The Vibenite 130 is a grade close to the most common tool steel type, H13, but this is 3D printed and heat treated in a special way for achieving hardness up to 60 HRC with high toughness. It is also a high strength material with max tensile strength, Rm, of about 1900 MPa. As all Vibenite alloys, the raw material is recycled scrap, and the production yield is extremely high when 3D-printing in near-net-shape.

Author: Andy Cormack