4.1 Determining the properties of the feedstock powder used in these processes is a necessary condition for industry’s confidence in powder selection and ability to produce consistent components with known and predictable properties. The intention of this guide is to provide purchasers, vendors, or producers of metal powder to be used in additive manufacturing processes with a reference for existing standards or variations of existing standards that may be used to characterize properties of metal powders used for additive manufacturing processes. It will serve as a starting point for the future development of a suite of specific standard test methods that will address each individual property or property type that is important to the performance of metal-based additive manufacturing systems and the components produced by them. While the focus of this standard is on metal powder, some of the referenced methods may also be appropriate for non-metal powders.

1.1 This guide introduces the reader to techniques for metal powder characterization that may be useful for powder-based additive manufacturing processes including binder jetting, directed energy deposition, and powder bed fusion. It refers the reader to other, existing standards that may be applicable for the characterization of virgin and used metal powders processed in additive manufacturing systems.2

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.