ASTM F3184-16 (2023) PDF

Full title and description

Standard Specification for Additive Manufacturing Stainless Steel Alloy (UNS S31603) with Powder Bed Fusion — designation F3184-16 (reapproved/updated 2023). This specification establishes requirements for producing UNS S31603 stainless steel components using laser- and electron-beam-based full-melt powder bed fusion (PBF) processes, and covers manufacturing planning, feedstock, process control, post-processing, inspection, and certification to achieve mechanical properties comparable to forgings and wrought products.

Abstract

This standard defines minimum requirements and supplementary options for additive manufacturing (PBF) of UNS S31603 stainless steel parts. It addresses ordering information, machine and feedstock qualifications, process parameters and logging, post-processing (thermal treatment, hot isostatic pressing), mechanical and chemical acceptance criteria, inspection, marking, packaging, and traceability. It is intended for purchasers and producers to ensure consistent, auditable production of PBF stainless steel components.

General information

• Status: Active / F3184-16 reapproved and published as F3184-16(2023).
• Publication date: Reapproved / updated December 14–15, 2023 (effective date 15 Dec 2023).
• Publisher: ASTM International (Committee F42 — Additive Manufacturing Technologies).
• ICS / categories: 25.030 (Additive manufacturing).
• Edition / version: F3184-16R23 (commonly cited as ASTM F3184-16(2023)).
• Number of pages: 9 pages.

Key bibliographic and status information is available from the ASTM publication record and standards catalogues.

Scope

This specification covers additive manufacturing of UNS S31603 components produced by laser and electron beam powder bed fusion. It is intended for use by purchasers and producers to define component requirements and acceptance criteria. The standard applies to full-melt PBF processes and includes provisions for ordering information, feedstock requirements, processing controls, mechanical property verification, microstructural requirements, thermal post-processing (stress relieving, solution annealing), hot isostatic pressing (where applicable), inspection, certification, marking, packaging, and quality program expectations. It notes that the compositional requirements do not meet surgical implant grade UNS S31673 unless additional requirements are specified. Supplementary requirements (S1–S16) may be added by agreement between purchaser and supplier.

Key topics and requirements

• Designation and intended processes: laser- and electron-beam-based full-melt powder bed fusion (PBF-LB / PBF-EB).
• Conditions classification (Condition A, B, C, E) with associated thermal treatments (stress relief, solution anneal, hot isostatic pressing) and acceptance criteria.
• Manufacturing plan and machine qualification: machine identification, software/firmware versions, calibration, build orientation, and process parameter logging.
• Feedstock requirements and handling: powder specifications, sampling, and traceability for powder batches and re-use strategies where applicable.
• Chemical composition and mechanical properties: methods for chemical analysis and mechanical testing requirements to demonstrate equivalence to wrought/forged properties where specified.
• Microstructural requirements and acceptance: porosity limits, microstructure expectations, nondestructive and destructive inspection provisions.
• Post-processing and finishing: sequence and specifications for thermal processing, machining, grinding, EDM, polishing, and HIP.
• Inspection, certification, marking, packaging, and traceability: requirements for documentation, product marking, and disposition of rejected material.
• Supplementary requirements (S1–S16): optional, purchaser-specified extensions for stricter acceptance (e.g., porosity, mechanical thresholds, special marking).

Typical use and users

Used by additive manufacturing service providers, OEMs, quality/engineering teams, procurement specialists, and regulators specifying or accepting PBF-manufactured UNS S31603 parts. Typical applications include industrial components requiring corrosion resistance and mechanical performance similar to wrought stainless steel (non-implant grade), prototyping through production parts in aerospace, energy, tooling, and general industrial sectors. Purchasers use the standard to define contractual acceptance criteria and suppliers use it to qualify machines, feedstock, and process controls.

Related standards

Standards and guides commonly referenced with F3184 include ASTM F3122 (mechanical properties of AM metals), ISO/ASTM 52900 series (AM terminology and principles), ASTM F3592 (PBF feedstock reuse and sampling), ASTM E8/E8M (tension testing), ASTM E23 (impact testing), and other sector-specific AM qualification and post-processing standards. Users should consult referenced test-method and AM-process standards listed in the specification for complete test and acceptance procedures.

Keywords

additive manufacturing, powder bed fusion, PBF, PBF-LB, PBF-EB, UNS S31603, stainless steel, F3184, machine qualification, feedstock, hot isostatic pressing, post-processing, traceability, supplementary requirements.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM F3184-16(2023) is a standard specification that sets minimum requirements for producing UNS S31603 stainless steel components using powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (laser and electron-beam full-melt processes), including process control, post-processing, testing, and certification.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers ordering information, manufacturing plans, feedstock and powder handling, machine and process qualification, chemical and mechanical property requirements, microstructural and porosity acceptance, thermal post-processing (stress relieving, solution anneal), hot isostatic pressing, inspection, marking, packaging, and traceability, plus optional supplementary requirements agreed between purchaser and supplier.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: AM service providers, design and materials engineers, procurement and quality teams, OEMs specifying PBF-produced stainless steel parts, and test laboratories performing acceptance testing for UNS S31603 PBF components.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document is the reapproved version of F3184-16 and is active as F3184-16(2023) (reapproved/updated December 2023). Users should verify the latest status on the ASTM catalog for any subsequent revisions or withdrawals.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within the ASTM F42 committee’s suite of additive-manufacturing standards and is intended to be used alongside related ASTM and ISO/ASTM AM guides and test methods (for example F3122, F3592, ISO/ASTM 52900-series) to provide a complete procurement and qualification framework.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Powder bed fusion, UNS S31603, stainless steel, additive manufacturing, PBF-LB, PBF-EB, machine qualification, feedstock, thermal post-processing, hot isostatic pressing, supplementary requirements.