Best IN939 Powder for 3D Printing in 2023

Overview of IN939 Powder for 3D Printing

IN939 is a high-performance nickel-based superalloy powder designed for additive manufacturing of critical components needing exceptional mechanical properties at high temperatures. This article provides a comprehensive guide to IN939 powder for 3D printing applications across aerospace, automotive, energy and industrial sectors.

Key aspects covered include IN939 composition, properties, print parameters, applications, specifications, suppliers, handling, inspection, comparisons to alternatives, advantages and limitations, and frequently asked questions. Quantitative data is presented in easy-to-reference tables.

Composition of IN939 Powder

IN939 has a complex precipitation hardening alloy composition:

Element	Hmotnostní %	Účel
Nikl	Balance	Hlavní maticový prvek
Chromium	15 – 18	Oxidační odolnost
Hliník	3.8 – 4.8	Tvrzení vytvrzováním
Titan	0.9 – 1.4	Tvrzení vytvrzováním
Kobalt	12 – 15	Solid solution strengthening
Tantal	3.8 – 4.8	Karbidová dřívka
Uhlík	0.05 – 0.15	Karbidová dřívka
Bor	0.006 – 0.012	Grain boundary strengthener

Trace quantities of zirconium, magnesium and sulphur are also added for enhanced properties.

Properties of IN939 Powder

IN939 possesses an exceptional combination of properties:

Nemovitost	Popis
vysoká pevnost	Excellent tensile and creep rupture strength up to 1050¡«C
Tepelná stabilita	Strength maintained up to 1000¡«C
Creep resistance	High stress-rupture life at high temperatures
Oxidační odolnost	Forms protective Cr2O3 oxide scale
Thermal fatigue resistance	Resists cracking during thermal cycling
Phase stability	Microstructure stable after prolonged exposures
Odolnost proti korozi	Resistant to hot corrosion, oxidation, sulfidation

The properties enable use under extreme thermal and mechanical loads.

3D Printing Parameters for IN939 Powder

Typical AM processing parameters for IN939 include:

Parametr	Typická hodnota	Účel
Layer thickness	20–50 Äm	Rozlišení vs. rychlost sestavení
Výkon laseru	250-500 W	Dostatečné tání bez odpařování
Rychlost skenování	800-1200 mm/s	Density vs production rate
Rozteč poklopů	100-200 Ã×m	Mechanické vlastnosti
Podpůrná struktura	Minimální	Snadné odstranění
Izostatické lisování za tepla	1160¡«C, 100 MPa, 3h	Odstranění pórovitosti

Parameters are optimized for attributes like density, microstructure, build rate, and post-processing requirements.

Applications of 3D Printed IN939 Parts

Additively manufactured IN939 components serve critical applications including:

Průmysl	Komponenty
Letectví a kosmonautika	Turbínové lopatky, lopatky, spalovací komory
Výroba energie	Hot gas path parts, heat exchangers
Automotivní	Turbocharger wheels, valves
Chemické zpracování	Čerpadla, ventily, reakční nádoby

Benefits over conventionally processed IN939 include complex geometries and reduced lead time.

Specifications of IN939 Powder for 3D Printing

IN939 powder for AM must meet exacting specifications:

Parametr	Specifikace
Velikost částic	15-45 Ã×m typicky
Tvar částice	Sférická morfologie
Zdánlivá hustota	> 4 g/cc
Hustota poklepání	> 6 g/cc
Hmotnostní průtok halou	> 23 s pro 50 g
Čistota	>99.9%
Obsah kyslíku	<100 ppm

Tighter tolerances, custom size distributions, and controlled impurity levels available.

Suppliers of IN939 Powder

Reputable suppliers of IN939 powder include:

Dodavatel	Umístění
Sandvik Osprey	Spojené království
Carpenter Additive	USA
Praxair	USA
AP&C	Kanada
Erasteel	Švédsko
AMETEK	USA

Pricing for IN939 powder ranges from $110/kg to over $220/kg based on quality and order volume.

Handling and Storage of IN939 Powder

As a reactive powder, careful handling of IN939 is needed:

• Store sealed containers in a cool, inert atmosphere
• Prevent contact with moisture, oxygen, acids
• Používejte řádně uzemněné zařízení
• Zabraňte hromadění prachu, abyste minimalizovali riziko výbuchu.
• Doporučené místní odsávací větrání
• Wear appropriate PPE while handling

Proper techniques and controls prevent IN939 powder oxidation or contamination.

Inspection and Testing of IN939 Powder

IN939 powder is validated using:

Metoda	Testované parametry
Sítový rozbor	Distribuce velikosti částic
Skenovací elektronová mikroskopie	Morfologie částic
EDX	Chemie a složení
XRD	Přítomné fáze
Pyknometrie	Hustota
Hmotnostní průtok halou	Tečení prášků

Testing per applicable ASTM standards ensures batch consistency.

Comparing IN939 to Alternative Alloy Powders

IN939 compares to other Ni-based superalloys as:

Slitina	Pevnost za vysokých teplot	Cena	Možnost tisku	Tažnost
IN939	Výborný	Vysoká	Výborný	Nízký
IN738	Dobré	Střední	Výborný	Střední
IN718	Férová	Nízký	Dobré	Výborný
Hastelloy X	Výborný	Vysoká	Férová	Střední

For balanced properties and processability, IN939 supersedes alternatives like IN718 or Hastelloy X.

Pros and Cons of IN939 Powder for 3D Printing

Klady	Nevýhody
Exceptional high temperature strength	Expensive compared to IN718
Excellent oxidation and creep resistance	Significant parameter optimization needed
Složité geometrie jsou proveditelné	Limited room temperature ductility
Faster processing than cast/wrought	Controlled storage and handling environment
Comparable properties to cast alloy	Obtížné zpracování po tisku

IN939 enables high-performance printed parts but with higher costs and controlled processing needs.

Frequently Asked Questions about IN939 Powder for 3D Printing

Q: What particle size range works best for printing IN939?

A: A particle size range of 15-45 microns provides good flowability combined with high resolution and density. Finer particles below 10 microns can improve density and surface finish.

Q: Does IN939 require any post-processing after 3D printing?

A: Post processes like hot isostatic pressing, heat treatment, and machining are usually needed to eliminate porosity, relieve stresses, and achieve final tolerances and surface finish.

Q: What precision can be achieved with IN939 printed parts?

A: After post-processing, dimensional accuracy and surface finish comparable to CNC machined parts can be achieved with IN939 AM components.

Q: Are support structures necessary for printing IN939 powder?

A: Minimal supports are recommended for complex channels and overhangs to prevent deformation and facilitate easy removal. IN939 powder has good flowability.

Q: What alloy powder is the closest alternative to IN939 for AM?

A: IN738 is the closest alternative in terms of balanced properties and maturity for additive manufacturing. Other alloys like IN718 or Hastelloy X have some trade-offs.

Q: Is IN939 compatible with direct metal laser sintering (DMLS)?

A: Yes, IN939 is readily processable by major powder bed fusion techniques including DMLS along with selective laser melting (SLM) and electron beam melting (EBM).

Q: What density is achievable with 3D printed IN939 components?

A: With optimized parameters, densities over 99% are achievable, matching properties of traditionally processed IN939 products.

Q: How do the properties of printed IN939 compare to cast alloy?

A: Additively manufactured IN939 exhibits comparable or better mechanical properties and microstructure compared to conventional cast and wrought forms.

Q: What defects can occur when printing with IN939 powder?

A: Potential defects are cracking, distortion, porosity, surface roughness, incomplete fusion etc. Most can be prevented by proper parameter optimization and powder quality.

Q: Is hot isostatic pressing (HIP) mandatory for IN939 AM parts?

A: HIP eliminates internal voids and improves fatigue resistance. For less demanding applications, heat treatment alone may suffice instead of HIP.