What is the best way to handle 3D printing powder and how does powder quality affect the properties of a printed component?

To answer these questions, powder manufacturers and additive manufacturing service providers will want to know about Laborelec’s brand-new powder lab.

The lab offers a complete set of characterization techniques, as well as deposition and production testing using a flexible selective laser melting machine to provide data on the condition of a powder batch and its behaviour in the additive manufacturing (AM) process.

Powder characterisation testing,
conducted according to ASTM norms, results in a product factsheet with full information on:

• Overall powder quality
• Predicted final component quality
• Extended characterisation, including:
  • dynamic powder behaviour
  • powder storage
  • moisture
  • shape factor

Powder is tested new, used or after poor storage conditions. Analysis results in Guidelines on the use of certain powder batches, covering factors such as:

• Shelf-life
• Storage conditions
• Re-use
• Health and safety