Researchers working in metal additive manufacturing, or metal 3D printing, face the challenge of characterizing the metal powder material, as the parts are created layer by layer from the metal powder, and of defining its quality – from the processing of the powder to its structure, properties, and performance in the final 3D printed parts. As the powder is the building block of additively manufactured parts, the size distribution of individual powder particles influences how it is compacted, and thus affects the density of the build. It also has an impact on the potential for defects that might only become visible later in the process. Therefore, verifying the absolute reliability of the final 3D printed parts is the foremost aim of researchers and engineers working in the field.

Microscopy Solutions for Metal Additive Manufacturing

Imagine being able to define the quality of the metal powder in each step of the material’s characterization, analyze the raw material for the powder, assess porosity and effectiveness of the sintering process in 2D and 3D or even investigate 3D morphology non-destructively? With Microscopy Solutions, you can exploit surface and roughness analysis techniques, apply high resolution imaging on sintered and unsintered regions, and benefit from multiple contrast modes during imaging. In addition, you will have the unique capability of studying finished parts non-destructively with X-ray microscopy using it as a research or a quality assurance tool.

• Processing: Study the production of metal powders and understand the full process, from raw stock material to the final part, with X-ray Microscopy (XRM)
• Structure: Observe and quantify the produced microstructures of the metal powder, like particle size distribution or examination of single powder particles, with Light Microscopy (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• Properties and Performance: Investigate or predict how an additively manufactured metal part will perform under real world conditions by conducting macroscopic and microscopic examinations of specimens using LM, SEM, and XRM. Conduct image processing and perform segmentation by using Software Solutions to determine relevant metallurgical information such as grain size, phase fractions, porosity, and layer thickness.