About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T25: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
Additive Manufacturing: Development of Powders
|
| Presentation Title |
Gas Atomization and Printability Screening of Niobium Alloys via Electron Beam Melting |
| Author(s) |
Emre Tekoglu, Benjamin Labiner, Jenny Forrester, Cristopher Rock, Tim Horn |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Emre Tekoglu |
| Abstract Scope |
Niobium-based alloys such as FS-85 (Nb-28Ta-10W-1Zr), Cb-752 (Nb-10W-2.5Zr), WC-3009 (Nb-30Hf-9W-1Zr-0.2C), and Nb521 (Nb-5W-2Mo-1Zr) offer excellent high-temperature properties, but their broader adoption has been limited by the high cost of conventional processing. Additive manufacturing (AM) provides an opportunity to revisit and expand these alloy systems through more efficient fabrication routes-enabling near-net-shape production and reduced machining. In this study, gas atomization is used to produce spherical powders of several niobium alloys-both legacy compositions and selected variants with modified chemistries. Powder characteristics such as chemistry, morphology, flowability, and size distribution are evaluated to ensure suitability for AM. Single-track and single-layer Electron Beam Melting (EBM) tests are conducted to assess melt pool behavior, surface quality, and printability. This approach enables rapid screening of multiple Nb-based alloys for AM compatibility and informs future downselection strategies. The results support the broader goal of enabling niobium alloys for demanding structural applications in aerospace and energy systems. |