Investigation Of The Variance In The AM Powder Supply Chain And Its Effect On Part Properties

Authors:

Cameron Blackwell (Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), United Kingdom),
Nathanael Turner (Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), United Kingdom),
Emil Strandh (Swerim AB, Sweden),
Martina Meisnar (European Space Agency, United Kingdom),
Laurent Pambaguian (European Space Agency, Netherlands)

Abstract:

The control of the entire AM process chain, encompassing the material supply, design, AM processing, post-processing, and part verification is critical to the success of the AM industry. Although intrinsically linked, existing studies evaluate one aspect of the AM process chain. Currently, an understanding of the complex relationship between powder and printed part properties is lacking. This paper establishes a holistic view of the AM process chain highlighting differences in part properties due to the variation in the powder feedstock material. Four AlSi10Mg powder batches procured from four suppliers were processed by metal laser powder bed fusion at three AM bureaus. A series of representative space parts and test bars were manufactured, followed by an exhaustive powder and part test campaign. This work has been completed as part of the ESA GSTP funded study “Additive Manufacturing Powder Supply Chain: Validation and Verification”.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59499/WP225368199