Powdered Metal

Metal Powder

Aircraft Materials offers a comprehensive range of high-quality metal powders, produced and tested to exacting standards for use in all processes including Additive Manufacturing (AM), Near-Net Shape Powder Metallurgy (NNS/PS) and Hot-Isostatic Pressing (HIP).

Additive Manufacturing (AM)

This refers to the process of producing a part by progressively adding successive layers and forming by way of laser or proton beam. Currently additive manufacturing finds application in many fields including aerospace, aviation, the medical industry, chemical and power generation, defence and automotive. This technology relies on high powder sphericity and specific particle sizes to ensure the final shape and density of the finished part. Powders for additive manufacturing can be supplied in a range of Particle Size Distributions (PSD) to fit the process:

Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF): 15-45µm

Direct Energy Disposition (DED): 45-150 µm

Electron Beam Melting (EBM): 45-106 µm

Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP)

Hot Isostatic Pressing is a process in which high pressure, applied by an inert gas (usually argon) is used to improve material properties. Castings which are used in critical applications can also be produced using metal powders as internal defects and internal microporosity are reduced, thus improving mechanical properties. Powdered metal can be used in the HIP process to produce a range of components, from simple to highly complex, via well-established near-net shape and selective surface net shape techniques.

For Near-Net Shape Powder Metallurgy / Hot Isostatic Pressing (NNS /PM HIP) metal powder can be supplied at the following Particle Size Distributions (at 100%) of:

<150 µm

<300 µm

<500 µm

Supply

Powders can be supplied in a range of quantities, ranging from 2.5kg, 5.0kg and 10.0kg containers up to 50kg or larger.

The following table shows the core alloys that we supply.