Chemical laboratory

An open lab for innovation! 

ArcelorMittal has been producing Steel Powders in a pilot atomiser at its Additive Manufacturing lab in Avilés since 2018. With its dedicated R&D facilities and over 50 full-time researchers, we have developed a detailed understanding of the interactions between steel alloy design, atomisation parameters, Additive Manufacturing process parameters and the final properties of the printed parts.

ArcelorMittal believes that Additive Manufacturing can create new opportunities for all manufacturing industries, by enabling the production of complex, customised parts with enhanced properties while simultaneously reducing material waste. With our participation in the Additive Manufacturing market and, mirroring our successful approach with our S-in motion ® programme in the automotive sector, we intend to scale our Steel Powders offering in collaboration with customers and industrial partners, through co-design and co-engineering projects.

chemical
PSD-mastersizer
flowability
morphology
density
research-development-steel-powder
printed-parts

Chemical composition

Chemical analysis with the Bruker S8 Tiger according to DIN 51418-1:2008-08 and DIN 51418-2:2015-03.
ON analysis (oxygen and nitrogen) with the LECO ON-736 according to ASTM E1019.
CS analysis (carbon and sulfur analysis) with the LECO CS-744 according to ASTM E1019.

Particle size distribution (PSD)

Particle size distribution by laser diffraction with the Mastersizer 3000E according to ISO13320 and ASTM B822-17 and both particle size distribution and particle shape of metal powder by dynamic image analysis with the SYMPATEC QICPIC according to ISO 13322-2.

Flowability

Flowability and bulk density using Hall flowmeter according to DIN EN ISO 4490-1 and DIN EN ISO 3923-1.

Morphology

Phenom Pure Scanning Electron Microscope to evaluate powder morphology and microstructure. Used for microstructural and defectology. Evaluation of small printed parts mounted in conductive resin. Magnification range up to 65,000x at best conditions.

Density

Apparent density (AD) is the density of loosely packed Steel Powder, achieved when it is poured into a container. Our analysis has shown that green density, the one of a part made out of Steel Powder such that it can be hold to shape with external support is increased with increased AD, so for most applications, AD should be as high as possible.

Apparent density and Tap density give us insight into powder packing density in powder bed technologies and transportation.

He-Pycnometer used to determine True (absolute) density of powder

Porosity

The definition of porosity is the percentage of void space in a solid structure

Analysis is made with a Light Optical Microscopy (LOM) to study different aspect and properties, such as particles shape and distribution, present of defect, and so on.

Printed parts mechanical and chemical properties

In our laboratory we not only characterize the Powder we manufacture, but we also have Additive Manufacturing printing machines from major suppliers, with different technologies, to produce final parts and carry out all kind of test, including, but not limited to, chemical composition and mechanical properties. If you need help with your project to produce parts, we are eager to provide our expertise and the +10 years of R&D experience.

Need advise?

Contact our experts to find out how we can help you choose the material that best suits your production needs.

Talk to our team