ASTM F3571-22

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 5.1 Particle characterization, especially particle size distribution, has been an important parameter for quality control (QC) and research and development (R&D) in a very wide variety of industries and markets, anywhere a particulate system is a final product or an intermediate constituent somewhere in the process. But size alone is not a sufficient morphological measurement to use to understand many factors of the complete particle morphology of particulate systems and their effects on other properties. This information is expected to contribute to the understanding of the effects of shape on powder spreadability and flowability in the creation of the bed in powder bed fusion AM and the density and porosity of the final AM parts (definitions in ISO/ASTM 52900 and Terminology B243). Ultimately, specifications can be developed for quality control (QC) tolerances for these shape parameters that can be measured with a straightforward, fast automated analysis SCOPE 1.1 This guide explains how to characterize the quality of metal powder feedstock to additive manufacturing (AM) relative to the powder shape using automated static or dynamic image analysis by optical photography. This guide will describe the method(s) to measure powder shape parameters that can identify potentially detrimental powder characteristics and specifically describe how to identify and quantify the proportion of agglomerates/satellites and other irregularly shaped non-spherical powder particles in a powder batch. 1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.