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	% do Peso	Objetivo
Níquel	Equilíbrio	Elemento da matriz principal
Cromo	15 – 18	Resistência à oxidação
Alumínio	3.8 – 4.8	Endurecimento por precipitação
Titânio	0.9 – 1.4	Endurecimento por precipitação
Cobalto	12 – 15	Solid solution strengthening
Tântalo	3.8 – 4.8	Formador de metal duro
Carbono	0.05 – 0.15	Formador de metal duro
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:

Propriedade	Descrição
alta resistência	Excellent tensile and creep rupture strength up to 1050¡«C
Estabilidade térmica	Strength maintained up to 1000¡«C
Creep resistance	High stress-rupture life at high temperatures
Resistência à oxidação	Forms protective Cr2O3 oxide scale
Thermal fatigue resistance	Resists cracking during thermal cycling
Phase stability	Microstructure stable after prolonged exposures
Resistência à corrosão	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:

Parâmetro	Valor típico	Objetivo
Layer thickness	20-50 µm	Resolution vs build speed
Potência do laser	250-500 W	Derretimento suficiente sem evaporação
Velocidade de digitalização	800-1200 mm/s	Density vs production rate
Espaçamento da escotilha	100-200 Ã×m	Propriedades mecânicas
Estrutura de suporte	Mínimo	Fácil remoção
Prensagem isostática a quente	1160¡«C, 100 MPa, 3h	Eliminar a porosidade

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:

Indústria	Componentes
Aeroespacial	Pás de turbina, paletas e câmara de combustão
Geração de energia	Hot gas path parts, heat exchangers
Automotivo	Turbocharger wheels, valves
Processamento químico	Bombas, válvulas, vasos de reação

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:

Parâmetro	Especificação
Tamanho das partículas	15-45 ×m típico
Formas das Partículas	Morfologia esférica
Densidade Aparente	> 4 g/cc
Densidade de Batida	> 6 g/cc
Vazão de fluxo do corredor	> 23 segundos para 50 g
Pureza	>99,9%
Conteúdo de oxigênio	< 100 ppm

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

Suppliers of IN939 Powder

Reputable suppliers of IN939 powder include:

Fornecedor	Localização
Sandvik Osprey	Reino Unido
Aditivo Carpenter	Estados Unidos
Praxair	Estados Unidos
AP&C	Canadá
Erasteel	Suécia
AMETEK	Estados Unidos

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
• Use equipamentos devidamente aterrados
• Evite o acúmulo de poeira para minimizar o risco de explosão
• Recomenda-se ventilação local com exaustão
• 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	Parâmetros testados
Análise granulométrica	Distribuição de Tamanho de Partícula
imagens SEM	Morfologia da partícula
EDX	Química e composição
XRD	Fases presentes
Picnometria	Densidade
Vazão de fluxo do corredor	Fluidez do pó

Testing per applicable ASTM standards ensures batch consistency.

Comparing IN939 to Alternative Alloy Powders

IN939 compares to other Ni-based superalloys as:

Liga	Resistência a altas temperaturas	Custo	Capacidade de impressão	Ductilidade
IN939	Excelente	Alto	Excelente	Baixo
IN738	Bom	Médio	Excelente	Médio
IN718	Razoável	Baixo	Bom	Excelente
Hastelloy X	Excelente	Alto	Razoável	Médio

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

Pros and Cons of IN939 Powder for 3D Printing

Prós	Contras
Exceptional high temperature strength	Expensive compared to IN718
Excellent oxidation and creep resistance	Significant parameter optimization needed
Geometrias complexas viáveis	Limited room temperature ductility
Faster processing than cast/wrought	Controlled storage and handling environment
Comparable properties to cast alloy	Difícil de usinar após a impressão

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.