SSAB introduces Armox® 500 AM Powder for additive manufacturing

SSAB has introduced Armox® 500 AM Powder, which the company describes as the world's first armor steel powder for additive manufacturing applications. The material is being showcased at the Eurosatory 2026 defense and security exhibition in Paris.

According to SSAB, the new powder offers properties comparable to conventional Armox® armor plate, enabling the production of complex protective components that would be difficult or impossible to manufacture from plate using conventional machining and welding methods.

Examples include housings, hinges, camera turrets and lightweight lattice or honeycomb structures designed to maximize ballistic and blast protection while minimizing weight.

"The demand for protection steel is growing globally and SSAB’s unique offerings give us a leadership position with customers in the defence industry. In addition, demand for high-performance metal powders for 3D printing is growing," says Per Elfgren, Head of SSAB Special Steels.

He adds: "We have developed our own high-strength steel powders optimized for additive manufacturing, based on many decades of experience in high-performance steel products. This enables advanced designs with low weight and high strength."

SSAB says Armox® 500 AM Powder has undergone extensive testing for flowability, particle morphology and particle size distribution. Printed components have also been tested to verify ballistic and blast resistance.

The powder is produced at SSAB's facility in Oxelösund, Sweden. The company plans to expand the site in 2026 and gradually ramp up commercial production from the first quarter of 2028, targeting an annual production capacity of around 350 tonnes.

Source and Photo: SSAB