The maritime sector is increasingly adopting Additive Manufacturing (AM) to improve efficiency and sustainability in shipbuilding and offshore operations. Unlike traditional methods such as casting, forging, and welding, AM enables on-demand production, design flexibility, and reduced material waste.
IACS Recommendation 186: A Standardized Framework for AM Adoption
The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has introduced Rec. 186: Additively Manufactured Metallic Parts for Marine and Offshore Applications, which provides guidelines for qualification, approval, and certification of AM metallic parts. This framework aligns with ISO/ASTM 52900 and AWS D20.1 standards, ensuring reliability and safety for marine applications.
Key Areas Covered in Rec. 186
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AM Process Scope: Covers Powder Bed Fusion (PBF), Directed Energy Deposition (DED), and Binder Jetting (BJT) with detailed process-specific parameters.
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Criticality Levels and Testing: Introduces AM Levels 1-3 for class and certified items, allowing testing based on application importance.
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Feedstock and Material Standards: Defines rigorous qualification processes for AM feedstocks like powder, wire, and binders, incorporating recycling protocols for sustainability.
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Part Design and Qualification: Encourages design optimization, topology adjustment, and pre-build simulation for enhanced performance in marine environments.
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Inspection & Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Addresses anisotropic properties and defects (porosity, lack of fusion) using CT scans and advanced NDT methods.
Driving Innovation in Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering
By ensuring standardized verification and certification, Rec. 186 supports the safe and effective adoption of AM technology in critical marine applications. IACS continues to collaborate with shipyards, OEMs, and vessel operators to expand AM’s role in safety-critical components, fostering innovation in shipbuilding and offshore engineering.
Expert Insight
Alexandre Astruc, Chair of IACS’ Expert Group on Materials & Welding, emphasized:
“Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is increasingly becoming a valuable tool for the marine sector, offering a flexible, speedy and customisable solution for environments where the consequences for safety, sustainability or operational uptime can otherwise be significant. While its potential for rapid production is notable, its true strength lies in its ability to provide innovative, on-demand solutions tailored to complex maritime challenges. In developing Rec 186, IACS is seeking to safeguard the benefits offered by additive manufacturing by ensuring it is underpinned by a standardised framework for verification and certification that gives confidence to all parties.”
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Source: IACS
