Abstract

Abstract Despite the wide application of powder metallurgy in the field of additive manufacturing, a general understanding of the spreadability of powder particles in electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF) is lacking. This paper presents the results of a literature review on particle flowability and spreading in additive processes. Different flowability tests are described and spreading mechanisms for different powder-bed processes are reviewed. A technique is proposed to study spreadability in which a single layer of powder is ‘frozen’ in the as-spread condition by contact sintering and then characterized using white-light interferometry. A standard method to calculate powder-bed density is defined based on this approach, and correlations between density, packing factor, and flowability are established.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.