| Abstract Scope |
Laser powder bed fusion using metallic powders is a rapidly expanding field in part production. Ensuring the quality of the final product necessitates strict material handling and storage practices. One common challenge with metallic powders is the sorption of water vapor, leading to a reduction in their flowability. Exposed powders can result in porosity and diminished mechanical properties in the finished parts. Signs of reduced flowability can be used as indicators to the remaining quality of recycled powders. In order to quantify the amount of vapor pick up, Dynamic vapor sorption is used on three AM powder samples, including C103, niobium, and aluminum. Powder manufacturing processes, such as gas atomization, plasma atomization, hydride embrittlement, and cold mechanical processing, affect particle morphology. This vapor sorption data is then correlated with the surface energies and shape morphologies of the powders to characterize the declining effect on flowability. |