Additive Manufacturing: Effective Control of Metal Powder Quality

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is an approach that allows fabrication of complex metallic parts or geometrical shapes by depositing metal powder layer-upon-layer. It lends control to engineers for prototyping and shortens lead-time for parts. 

The quality of the powder determines the quality of the final product. This is especially true when the process also involves powder recycling to limit waste and improves efficiency. Since recycling increases the risk of contamination and subsequently modifies the material characteristics, it is critical to assess and monitor key quality attributes including particle size, shape, degree of powder agglomeration and purity over time. 

In this webinar, Dr. Anderson Bonon and Dr. Matthieu Chausseau will use laser diffraction, image analysis, X-ray fluorescence and elemental analysis (C/S, O/N and H) to demonstrate effective control of the raw material as well as recycled powder. Case studies obtained from various powders commonly used in processes will be discussed with a Q&A session to follow. 

What you will learn? 

• How to improve 3D printing results by monitoring raw and recycled powder size and shape.
• How to detect impurities with elemental analysis using complementary techniques: X-ray fluorescence, Inert Gas Fusion and Infrared absorption method after combustion.
• What typical performances of these techniques are and how to operate them