Best inconel 718 powder for 3D printing

Overview of Inconel 718 Powder

Inconel 718 is a precipitation hardenable nickel-based superalloy powder widely used for additive manufacturing across aerospace, oil & gas, power generation and automotive industries. This article provides a detailed guide to Inconel 718 powder.

Key aspects covered include composition, properties, AM print parameters, applications, specifications, suppliers, handling, inspection methods, comparisons to alternatives, pros and cons, and FAQs. Tables are used to present information in an easy-to-reference format.

Composition of Inconel 718 Powder

The composition of Inconel 718 is:

Elemento	Porcentaje de peso	Propósito
Níquel	50 – 55	Elemento principal de la matriz
Cromo	17 – 21	Resistencia a la oxidación
Hierro	Equilibrio	Reforzador de solución sólida
Niobio	4.75 – 5.5	Endurecimiento por precipitación
Molibdeno	2.8 – 3.3	Solid solution strengthening
Titanio	0.65 – 1.15	Formador de carburo
Aluminio	0.2 – 0.8	Endurecimiento por precipitación
Carbono	0,08 máx.	Formador de carburo

Trace amounts of cobalt, boron, copper and magnesium are also added to enhance properties.

Properties of Inconel 718 Powder

Key properties of Inconel 718 include:

Propiedad	Descripción
Alta resistencia	Tensile strength 1050 – 1350 MPa
Phase stability	Retains strength after prolonged use up to 700¡«C
Resistencia a la corrosión	Resistant to aqueous corrosion and oxidation
Soldabilidad	Readily weldable with matching filler
Fabricability	Easy to form and machine
Creep resistance	High stress rupture strength at high temperatures

The properties make Inconel 718 suitable for the most demanding applications.

AM Print Parameters for Inconel 718 Powder

Typical parameters for printing Inconel 718 powder include:

Parámetro	Valor típico	Propósito
Altura de la capa	20 – 50 Ã×m	Balance speed and resolution
Potencia del láser	195 – 350 W	Fundición suficiente sin evaporación
Velocidad de exploración	700 – 1300 mm/s	Density versus build rate
Distancia entre escotillas	80 – 160 Ã×m	Propiedades mecánicas
Support structure	Mínimo	Easy removal
Prensado isostático en caliente	1120¡«C, 100 MPa, 3h	Eliminar vacíos internos

The parameters depend on factors like build geometry, temperature management and post-processing needs.

Applications of 3D Printed Inconel 718 Parts

Inconel 718 parts made by AM are used in:

Industria	Componentes
Aeroespacial	Turbine blades, disks, hot section parts
Oil & gas	Downhole tools, valves, pumps
Generación de potencia	Combustion cans, transition ducts
Automovilístico	Turbocharger wheels, exhaust valves
Médico	Implantes ortopédicos, herramientas quirúrgicas

Benefits over wrought parts include complex geometries and reduced buy-to-fly ratios.

Specifications of Inconel 718 Powder for AM

Inconel 718 powder must meet the following specifications for 3D printing:

Parámetro	Especificación
Rango de tamaño de partícula	10 – 45 Ã×m
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

Custom size distributions and controlled composition available.

Suppliers of Inconel 718 Powder

Prominent Inconel 718 powder suppliers include:

Proveedor	Ubicación
Praxair	EE. UU.
Carpenter Powder Products	EE. UU.
Sandvik Osprey	Reino Unido
Tecnología LPW	Reino Unido
Erasteel	Francia
AP&C	Canadá

Prices range from $50/kg to $150/kg, influenced by quality and order quantity.

Handling and Storage of Inconel 718 Powder

As a reactive material, Inconel 718 powder requires controlled handling:

• Store sealed containers in a cool, dry inert atmosphere
• Prevent exposure to moisture, air, temperature extremes
• Use properly grounded equipment during transfer
• Avoid dust accumulation and ignition sources
• Se recomienda ventilación local
• Follow applicable safety guidelines

Correct storage/handling prevents composition changes or hazards.

Inspection and Testing of Inconel 718 Powder

Inconel 718 powder batches are 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 ASTM standards ensures batch-to-batch quality consistency.

Comparing Inconel 718 to Alternative Superalloy Powders

Inconel 718 compares with other alloys as:

Aleación	Coste	Imprimibilidad	Soldabilidad	Fuerza
Inconel 718	Bajo	Bien	Excelente	Medio
Inconel 625	Medio	Excelente	Excelente	Bajo
Inconel 939	Muy alto	Justa	Limited	Excelente
Haynes 282	Alto	Bien	Limited	Excelente

For balanced properties at lower cost, Inconel 718 supersedes other Ni superalloys for many applications.

Pros and Cons of Inconel 718 Powder for AM

Puntos a favor	Contras
Proven material credentials in AM	Lower high temperature strength than some alloys
Excellent weldability and machinability	Susceptible to solidification cracking during printing
Readily printed into complex shapes	Requiere manipulación en atmósfera controlada
Cost advantage over exotic superalloys	Significant post-processing often required
Available from range of suppliers	Relatively low hardness after printing

Inconel 718 enables high performance AM at a reasonable cost.

Frequently Asked Questions about Inconel 718 Powder

Q: What particle size range works best for printing Inconel 718 alloy?

A: A range of 15-45 microns provides the optimum combination of flowability, high resolution, and high density parts.

Q: What post processing is typically required for Inconel 718 AM parts?

A: Hot isostatic pressing, heat treatment, and machining are commonly needed to eliminate voids, optimize properties, and achieve tolerances.

Q: Is Inconel 718 easier to 3D print than other Ni superalloys?

A: Yes, its excellent weldability and lower cracking susceptibility make Inconel 718 one of the easier Ni-based superalloys to process by AM.

Q: What industries use Inconel 718 alloy for metal 3D printing?

A: Aerospace, oil & gas, power generation, automotive, and medical sectors are major applications benefiting from additively manufactured Inconel 718.

Q: Does Inconel 718 require supports when 3D printing?

A: Minimal supports are recommended on overhangs and bridged sections to prevent deformation and allow easy removal after printing.

Q: What defects can occur when printing Inconel 718 powder?

A: Potential defects are cracking, porosity, distortion, incomplete fusion, and surface roughness. Most can be prevented with optimized parameters.

Q: What hardness can be expected with Inconel 718 AM components?

A: Hardness after printing is typically 30-35 HRC. Post-processes like aging can increase it to 40-50 HRC for higher wear resistance.

Q: What accuracy can be obtained with Inconel 718 printed parts?

A: Comparable dimensional tolerances and surface finishes to CNC machined components can be achieved after post-processing.

Q: Is hot isostatic pressing mandatory for Inconel 718 3D printed parts?

A: HIP eliminates internal voids and improves fatigue life. It may not be required for non-critical applications.

Q: What alloy powder has properties closest to Inconel 718 for AM?

A: Inconel 625 has comparable corrosion resistance and weldability to 718 but lower strength. Inconel 939 trades weldability for higher strength.