About this Abstract |
Meeting |
Materials Science & Technology 2020
|
Symposium
|
Additive Manufacturing: Qualification and Certification
|
Presentation Title |
The Effects of Powder Particle Size Distribution on the Powder and Part Performance of Laser Powder Bed Fusion 17-4 PH Stainless Steel |
Author(s) |
Jordan S. Weaver, Justin Whiting, Carlos Beauchamp, Max Peltz, Thien Phan, Vipin Tondare, Jared Tarr, Alkan Donmez |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Jordan S. Weaver |
Abstract Scope |
The powder particle size distribution (PSD) is an important precursor material specification; however, the effects of small changes in the PSD on powder and part performance are not fully realized. In this study, three Argon atomized 17-4 PH stainless steel powders with small shifts in their PSD’s (fine, medium, and coarse) were characterized and used to build samples for metallography and mechanical testing. Powder performance measurements (tapped density, Hall flowmeter, rheometer, pycnometer, and spreading) provide a ranking of the powders from best to worst as coarse, medium, and fine. However, microstructure quantification (density, grain size, and crystallographic texture) and mechanical testing (Rockwell hardness and uniaxial tension) reveal that all three powders produce nearly identical, acceptable parts with slightly higher hardness and strength for the medium powder. The results reveal the process is robust for static mechanical properties with regards to small changes in PSD with a range in powder performance. |