Comparative Evaluation of Characterization Methods for Powders Used in Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

In recent years, the interest in additive manufacturing technologies has increased significantly, most of them using powders as feedstock material. It is therefore essential to check the quality of the powder before processing in order to ensure the same quality of the printed components at all times. This kind of quality assurance of a powder should be carried out independently of the additive manufacturing technology used. Since there is a lack of standards in this field, various powder analysis methods are available, with which, in principle, the same characteristics can often be measured, at least nominally. To verify the validity of these methods, three different nickel-based powders used for additive manufacturing were examined in the present study using standard methods (apparent density, tap density, Hall flow rate, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy) and advanced characterization methods (dynamic image analysis, x-ray microcomputed tomography, adsorption measurement by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method). A special focus has been given on particle size distribution, particle shape, specific surface area, and internal porosity. The results of these measurements were statistically compared. This study therefore provides an insight into the advantages and disadvantages of various optical characterization techniques.

Using ultrasonic atomization to recycle aluminium bronze chips for additive laser directed energy deposition

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“…In the literature, applicable methods and procedures for characterization are investigated extensively. For example, Wimler et al [4] and Mitterlehner et al [5] investigate various methods to measure PSD and morphology of AM powders. Kiani et al [6] use statistical approaches for powder characterization.…”

Identification of 2-d shape parameters for waste brick powders from varying milling methods: A discussion of quantitative image analysis

“…The quantitative characterisation of shape parameters of pozzolanic materials is a key step in fundamental challenges for characterisation of solid powders. This has been a topic of substantial attention in several problems of material characterisations in literature [ 2 , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] ], to cite a few. Most of these studies deal with general properties of powders generated after grinding.…”