Metal powders for additive manufacturing: characterization of ultrasonically atomized magnesium

Particle size and shape characterization were used to conduct a quality inspection of ultrasonically atomized, metallic powders for additive manufacturing. Quick quality control helped to identify errors in the used process atmosphere and greatly improve the powder quality of the next atomization process.

Metal additive manufacturing is a rapidly growing industry, which offers a solution in areas where the production of complex parts from high-value materials in unique shapes is required. A few examples are aerospace, medical, and the automotive industry. Most metal-based 3D printing technologies rely on metallic powders as a feedstock material. Since the quality of the used powder directly influences the quality of printed parts and printing speed, it is crucial to monitor its properties. The influence of the powder quality can be the most prominent in powder bed techniques such as Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), Electron Beam Melting (EBM), and Binder Jetting (BJT). In these techniques, the powder is required to characterize with a high packing density and to form smooth layers, usually in the range of 25-100 μm.

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