Characterization of powder flow behavior for additive manufacturing
The flow behavior of powders has an essential role in many industrial processes, including powder bed additive manufacturing. The characterization of the flow behavior is challenging, as different methods are available, and their suitability for an application in additive manufacturing is still cont...
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| Published in: | Additive manufacturing 2021-11, Vol.47, p.102250, Article 102250 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | eng |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | The flow behavior of powders has an essential role in many industrial processes, including powder bed additive manufacturing. The characterization of the flow behavior is challenging, as different methods are available, and their suitability for an application in additive manufacturing is still controversial. In this study, six standardized methods (measurement of bulk density by ISO 60 and by ASTM B329, angle of repose by ISO 4324, discharge time by ISO 6186 and by ASTM B964–16, and Hausner Ratio by ASTM 7481–18), the rotating drum method (by GranuDrum) and powder rheometry (Anton Paar powder cell), were applied to five size fractions of a crushed quartz sand powder and compared. A statistical approach is proposed and discussed to correlate the obtained flowability indexes with the packing density of powder beds deposited layer-by-layer, and these correlations are compared between methods. Overall, the measurement of bulk density by ASTM B329 showed the best correlation with the powder bed density. Advanced methods such as the rotating drum method and powder rheometry did not demonstrate particularly good correlations, however they provided complementary information which can be useful to assess the dynamic behavior of powders.
•Ten methods to characterize powder flowability for additive manufacturing are compared.•A statistical approach is proposed to correlate flowability indexes and packing density of powder beds.•The measurement of bulk density by ASTM B329 (Scott volumeter) shows the best correlations.•The rotating drum method and powder rheometry provide complementary information to standard tests. |
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| ISSN: | 2214-8604 2214-7810 |