Additive Manufacturing

VIM–VIGA Powder Production

The alloy is first prepared through Vacuum Induction Melting to achieve controlled chemistry and compositional uniformity. The molten alloy is subsequently atomized under inert gas through the VIGA process.

This integrated route supports the development of nickel, cobalt and specialty alloy powders with repeatable chemical and physical characteristics.

Representative Powders

Ni-5Al
Ni-20Cr
Ni-20Cr-5Al
NiCrAlY
MCrAlY
Stellite 6
Stellite 12
IN625
IN718
IN713LC

Powder Conditioning and Classification

Atomized powder can be further processed using controlled powder-conditioning technologies according to the required particle-size range and end application.

Relevant Equipment and Processes

Air jet milling
Powder sieving and classification
Planetary ball milling
Mechanical alloying
Controlled blending
Powder compacting
Chemical cladding
Closed-loop spray drying
Water atomization for selected iron- and nickel-based powders

Powder Characterization

Powder performance is evaluated through physical, chemical and metallurgical testing.

Powder Testing

Particle-size distribution
Hall flow measurement in accordance with ASTM B213
Apparent density in accordance with ASTM B212
Sieve analysis in accordance with ASTM B214
ICP-OES chemical analysis
Oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen analysis
Carbon and sulphur analysis
Metallurgical microscopy
SEM-based morphology evaluation through laboratory support

Custom Alloy and Particle Development

MSAM works with customers to develop composition-specific and particle-size-specific powders. Development can include alloy design, melting trials, atomization trials, powder classification, laboratory verification, sample production and scale-up.

This collaborative approach is suitable for customers developing new additive-manufacturing parameters, repair materials, coating systems or application-specific powder chemistries.