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:

Elemento	Porcentaje de peso	Propósito
Níquel	Equilibrio	Elemento principal de la matriz
Cromo	15 – 18	Resistencia a la oxidación
Aluminio	3.8 – 4.8	Endurecimiento por precipitación
Titanio	0.9 – 1.4	Endurecimiento por precipitación
Cobalto	12 – 15	Solid solution strengthening
Tántalo	3.8 – 4.8	Formador de carburo
Carbono	0.05 – 0.15	Formador de carburo
Boro	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:

Propiedad	Descripción
Alta resistencia	Excellent tensile and creep rupture strength up to 1050¡«C
Estabilidad térmica	Strength maintained up to 1000¡«C
Creep resistance	High stress-rupture life at high temperatures
Resistencia a la oxidación	Forms protective Cr2O3 oxide scale
Thermal fatigue resistance	Resists cracking during thermal cycling
Phase stability	Microstructure stable after prolonged exposures
Resistencia a la corrosión	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:

Parámetro	Valor típico	Propósito
Layer thickness	20-50 µm	Resolución frente a velocidad de construcción
Potencia del láser	250-500 W	Fundición suficiente sin evaporación
Velocidad de exploración	800-1200 mm/s	Density vs production rate
Distancia entre escotillas	100-200 Ã×m	Propiedades mecánicas
Support structure	Mínimo	Easy removal
Prensado isostático en caliente	1160¡«C, 100 MPa, 3h	Eliminar la porosidad

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:

Industria	Componentes
Aeroespacial	Álabes de turbina, álabes fijos, cámaras de combustión
Generación de potencia	Hot gas path parts, heat exchangers
Automovilístico	Turbocharger wheels, valves
Procesamiento químico	Bombas, válvulas, recipientes de reacción

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:

Parámetro	Especificación
Tamaño de partícula	15-45 Ã×m típico
Forma de las partículas	Morfología esférica
Densidad aparente	> 4 g/cc
Densidad de golpecito	> 6 g/cc
Caudal de pasillo	> 23 seg para 50 g
Pureza	>99,9%
Contenido de Oxígeno	<100 ppm

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

Suppliers of IN939 Powder

Reputable suppliers of IN939 powder include:

Proveedor	Ubicación
Sandvik Osprey	Reino Unido
Carpenter Additive	EE. UU.
Praxair	EE. UU.
AP&C	Canadá
Erasteel	Suecia
AMETEK	EE. UU.

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
• Utilice equipos con toma de tierra adecuada
• Evitar la acumulación de polvo para minimizar el riesgo de explosión
• Se recomienda ventilación local
• 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:

Método	Parámetros probados
Análisis granulométrico	Distribución de granulometría
Imágenes SEM	Morfología de las partículas
EDX	Química y composición
DRX	Fases presentes
Picnometría	Densidad
Caudal de pasillo	Capacidad de flujo del polvo

Testing per applicable ASTM standards ensures batch consistency.

Comparing IN939 to Alternative Alloy Powders

IN939 compares to other Ni-based superalloys as:

Aleación	Resistencia a altas temperaturas	Coste	Imprimibilidad	Ductilidad
IN939	Excelente	Alto	Excelente	Bajo
IN738	Bien	Medio	Excelente	Medio
IN718	Justa	Bajo	Bien	Excelente
Hastelloy X	Excelente	Alto	Justa	Medio

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

Pros and Cons of IN939 Powder for 3D Printing

Puntos a favor	Contras
Exceptional high temperature strength	Expensive compared to IN718
Excellent oxidation and creep resistance	Significant parameter optimization needed
Posibilidad de geometrías complejas	Limited room temperature ductility
Faster processing than cast/wrought	Controlled storage and handling environment
Comparable properties to cast alloy	Difficult to machine after printing

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.