U.S. metal powder manufacturer Continuum Powders has released its Metal Additive Manufacturing Circular Manufacturing Handbook, based on independent testing from Rice University’s Particle Flow and Tribology Lab. The tests show that recycled M247 nickel-based superalloy powder outperforms 2205 and 316 stainless steel powders in additive manufacturing suitability. Using an FT4 powder rheometer to evaluate flow and packing behavior during the powder recoating stage, M247 demonstrated the best performance in adjusted bulk density, compressibility (~2%), stability index, and flow rate index. Continuum Powders employs its Greyhound melt atomization platform, combining cold-wall plasma melting with inert horizontal gas atomization, to convert scrap components, rework materials, and defective prints into specification-grade AM feedstock powder. This case demonstrates a commercially viable 'scrap-to-qualified powder' pathway, which, if more widely validated, could reduce the reliance of high-end metal powders on virgin mineral resources.
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Continuum Powders发布循环制造指南,回收M247镍粉性能优于不锈钢
美国金属粉末制造商Continuum Powders发布《金属增材制造循环制造手册》,核心基于莱斯大学颗粒流动与摩擦学实验室的独立测试。
测试显示,回收再利用的M247镍基高温合金粉末在增材制造适用性方面优于2205和316不锈钢粉末。研究采用FT4粉末流变仪评估铺粉阶段的流动与堆积行为,M247在调整堆积密度、压缩性(约2%)、稳定性指数和流动速率指数等指标上均表现最佳。
Continuum Powders通过其Greyhound熔炼制粉平台,采用冷壁等离子熔炼结合惰性水平气体雾化技术,将报废组件、返工料和缺陷打印件等废料转化为符合规格的增材制造原料粉末。该案例展示了“废料→合格粉末”的商业化路径,若能得到更广泛验证,有望缓解高端金属粉末对原生矿产的依赖。