Additive manufacturing · Tool
Suitability matrix: which component can be made with which process – technically and normatively?
Ten component classes of piping against five metal processes of additive manufacturing. Every cell carries two traffic lights: is it technically possible? Is it normatively permitted – as a standard part, as a pressure equipment part? Plus the reason and our recommendation. Choose a process or show pressure-retaining parts only.
- Component classes
- Flange, elbow, tee, reducer, pipe, valve body, trim, impeller, special fitting, repair
- Processes
- PBF-LB/M · PBF-EB/M · DED-LB · DED-Arc · BJT/M
- Traffic lights
- technical · normative
- Basis
- Zickwolff assessment from process characteristics and the rules
Suitability matrix: which part, which process – technically and by the rules
Tap or click a cell: the reason, our recommendation and the order of magnitude of the cost appear below the matrix.
Traffic lights are our assessment from the process characteristics and the rules – the binding assessment for a pressure part lies with the notified body and the manufacturer. No prices, no delivery promise.
How to read the matrix
The upper traffic light of each cell is the technical one: green possible, yellow possible with restrictions, red not worthwhile. The lower one is the normative: green means permitted or no standard part needed, yellow only with a particular material appraisal or manufacturer qualification, red no standard part and no approval. The reason and our recommendation appear when a cell is selected. The traffic lights are our assessment from the process characteristics and the rules; the binding assessment of a pressure-retaining part lies with the notified body and the manufacturer.
| Component | laser powder bed fusion (metal) | electron beam powder bed fusion (metal) | laser directed energy deposition (powder) | wire arc additive manufacturing | binder jetting (metal, sintered) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| flange | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval |
| elbow | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval |
| tee | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal with restrictions / only with individual appraisal | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval with restrictions / only with individual appraisal | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval with restrictions / only with individual appraisal | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal with restrictions / only with individual appraisal | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval with restrictions / only with individual appraisal |
| reducer | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval |
| pipe | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval |
| valve body | possible / permitted with restrictions / only with individual appraisal | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal with restrictions / only with individual appraisal | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal with restrictions / only with individual appraisal | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal with restrictions / only with individual appraisal | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval with restrictions / only with individual appraisal |
| valve trim | possible / permitted possible / permitted | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal possible / permitted | possible / permitted possible / permitted | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal possible / permitted | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal possible / permitted |
| impeller | possible / permitted possible / permitted | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal possible / permitted | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal possible / permitted | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal possible / permitted | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal possible / permitted |
| special fitting or manifold | possible / permitted with restrictions / only with individual appraisal | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal with restrictions / only with individual appraisal | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal with restrictions / only with individual appraisal | possible / permitted with restrictions / only with individual appraisal | with restrictions / only with individual appraisal with restrictions / only with individual appraisal |
| repair by build-up | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval | possible / permitted possible / permitted | possible / permitted possible / permitted | not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval not worthwhile / no standard part, no approval |
Further reading
This topic: Additive manufacturing in piping · Processes and materials · Metal and steel: component classes · Rules and approval · Enquiry helper for special parts.
From our range: Materials · Certificates to EN 10204 · Test methods · Guide to standards · Flanges · Valves.
Frequently asked questions on the suitability matrix
Why two traffic lights?
Because the answers diverge: a flange is technically printable and still not a flange normatively; an impeller is normatively free and technically the showcase. Whoever shows only one traffic light conceals half the picture.
What does “only with a particular material appraisal” mean?
That the material of the pressure-retaining part must be assessed under Annex I No. 4 of the Pressure Equipment Directive by way of a particular material appraisal by a notified body – per part, per manufacturer.
Where do the assessments come from?
From the process characteristics to ISO/ASTM 52900, the product standards, the Pressure Equipment Directive and the freely accessible scopes of the rules; the manufacturer statement by KSB proves that certified production exists. The sources are given on the technical pages.
Standard part instead of print
For everything green and red in the “standard part” column we supply the stock part – tell us component, standard, material and size.
Send an inquiryYour inquiry to Zickwolff
Send us what you have – designation, standard, quantity, date. We will clarify the rest with you.
One item or a question
Send inquiry
Not in stock? We procure it – single items too.
Designation, standard and quantity are enough.
Several items
Send bill of materials
200 items? One parts list is enough – we deliver complete.
Attach it as a file.
Helpful if already known: project and country, date needed, certificates, packaging and language of the packing lists. If anything is missing, we will ask.
It is urgent
Request express
When do you need it? Express delivery, to the site if required.
Tell us by when you need the material – we will tell you what is possible.
Technical basis: ISO/ASTM 52900 (terminology), DIN/TS 17026:2020-10 and E DIN EN 13445-14:2025-01 (scopes), Directive 2014/68/EU Annex I No. 4, EN 1092-1, EN 10253, EN 10216/10217, EN 10204, ASME PTB-13-2021, API Std 20S (2025), DNV-ST-B203 (2025), UBA assessment basis for metallic materials (2026) – each from the freely accessible scopes and legal texts; manufacturer statement KSB on certified production (2020). Suitability assessments are ours; the binding assessment of a pressure-retaining part lies with the notified body and the manufacturer. No prices, no delivery promise. Information without guarantee.