Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) technology is gaining ground in the automotive industry, especially in areas where a high strength-to-weight ratio is of paramount importance, such as racing cars and limited production supercars. It has the advantage of being able to create complex, weight-reduced components. In this research, we present a scanning electron microscopy study of a powder feedstock of a given particle size. The state of the new feedstock and the effect of cyclic reuse are investigated and the changes are analysed. DMLS technology enables virtually waste-free production, as the powder can be reused after sieving, with the exception of the supports used for undercuts. The aim is to investigate whether the particles tend to agglomerate and thus form larger irregular clusters. It is well known in the literature that clusters adversely affect powder fluidity, spreadability and laser energy absorption, suggesting that the quality of the powder is a fundamental determinant of the properties of the final product. Clusters should be identified and investigated from both a scientific and a technological point of view. The investigated powder material is Oerlikon MetcoAdd 17-4PH-A, a martensitic stainless steel feedstock produced by gas atomization.
Science Journal 