SSAB has developed the first armor steel powder for 3D printing
SSAB has announced the release of Armox® 500 AM powder, which is considered the world's first protective grade steel powder for additive manufacturing. According to the company, SSAB will present Armox® 500 AM powder at the Eurosatory Defense and Security exhibition, which will be held from June 14 to 19, 2026, demonstrating how this product and 3D printing technology can provide protection in applications where conventional armor plates are not suitable. Developed as the next step in the SSAB Armox® protective plate line, which has been a market leader for over 40 years, Armox® 500 AM powder is the first steel powder with properties comparable to those of armor plates. The company stated that the product has already attracted significant interest from key customers. Per Elfgren, Head of SSAB Special Steels, noted that global demand for protective steels continues to grow and that the company continues to strengthen its position in the defense sector through innovative product offerings. He also noted the growing demand for high-strength metal powders for 3D printing and emphasized that SSAB uses its expertise in high-strength steels to develop powders optimized for additive manufacturing. The company stated that components made from steel powder can have significantly more complex geometries than components made from sheet steel, which provides maximum protection with minimal weight. Additive manufacturing also makes it possible to produce multilayer lattice and honeycomb structures that would be difficult or impossible to produce using conventional methods. SSAB explained that this technology can be used to protect critical components such as hinges, vehicle bodies, sensor housings, and antenna mounts, thereby increasing the level of protection without increasing the overall weight of the vehicle. The company also noted that various steel powders are produced at its plant in Oxelesund, Sweden, and that the Armox® 500 AM powder has been thoroughly tested for flowability, particle shape, and granulometric composition. Its ballistic characteristics and explosion protection have also been confirmed. During 2026, SSAB plans to increase production capacity at the Oxelesund plant and switch to industrial production. By gradually increasing production, the company plans to reach an annual production capacity of approximately 350 tons by the first quarter of 2018. 2028.
Author: Editorial staff of SteelRadar
Steelradar.com