Evaluation Of Non-OEM Powder Feedstocks On Three Laser Powder Bed Fusion Systems

To evaluate the viability of non-OEM powders in Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF), two Inconel-718 powders have been assessed in build trials on three different commercial L-PBF platforms, and compared to the OEM certified feedstock. In all cases, densities of above 99.8% were achieved, with all non-OEM feedstock builds achieving over 99.9% density. We further show that the tensile and metallurgical properties obtained are comparable to those of the OEM feedstock, with less than 2% difference in yield strength, 6% difference in tensile strength and up to 14% improvement in elongation between argon gas-atomised non-OEM and OEM feedstock samples. Nitrogen atomised feedstock was found to show elevated tensile and yield strength of up to 7%, but with reduced elongation. ASTM standards were met in both the as-built and heat-treated state for elongation and tensile strength, with only minor deviations in yield strength in the as-built condition.