Evaluation and correlation of powder characteristics with the processability of the powder within the additive manufacturing process and with the respective part quality.

Establish a correlation between powder properties and test specimen quality.

Background and justification:

• The powder characterization method PowderGenetics forms the basis for later evaluation and correlation strategies. Among the numerous variables along the whole additive manufacturing chain, PowderGenetics is a way to allow powder material to become measured, compared and evaluated. It aims to become one constant within the process.

Achievements and status:

• PowderGenetics describes the elemental powder properties at the highest possible information depth.
• Determination of powder processability by evaluation and correlation of qualitative and quantitative information of powder properties.
• Detection of smallest deviations and the evaluation of their effect on both the manufacturing process and the correlated part quality.
• IABG successfully established a correlation between IN718 powder properties and the resulting part quality

Benefits:

• In general, the space industry will benefit from quantifiable and reproducible powder analysis methods and the resulting improvement of the print quality and a stable production process for space components.