Overview
EN ISO/ASTM 52925:2022 provides guidance for the qualification of polymer feedstock used in laser-based powder bed fusion of polymers (PBF-LB/P). The standard focuses primarily on polyamide 12 (PA12) with references to polyamide 11 (PA11) and explicitly states that its parameters and recommendations are not directly applicable to other polymer families. It defines sampling, testing and reporting practices to assess powder suitability for reliable additive manufacturing (AM) part production.
Key Topics
- Scope and applicability
- Qualification guidance for polymeric powder feedstock in PBF-LB/P (PA12 main focus; PA11 referenced).
- Sampling
- Requirements for representative sampling of virgin, blended and used powder.
- Practical note: homogenise total powder volume where possible; if no large mixer is available, take at least five samples (≥20 g each) from different areas and blend.
- Factory test report
- Recommended reporting items to accompany supplied powder batches.
- Typical entries include particle size distribution and residual monomer/extract content, plus supplementary data.
- Powder characterisation
- Key measurements: particle size distribution, bulk/tapped density (Hausner ratio), spreadability, and surface moisture/relative humidity.
- Factors influencing processability
- Spreadability, humidity, particle size and morphology, and their impact on build consistency.
- Factors affecting part quality
- Thermal and rheological properties: melting behaviour, melt volume-flow rate (MVR), melting and recrystallisation temperatures.
- Laboratory methods referenced include DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and flow rate testing (MVR/MFR/GPC referenced abbreviations).
- Informative annexes
- Annex A: Hausner ratio
- Annex B: Determination of MVR
- Annex C: Round robin MVR test
Applications
- Creating supplier specifications and incoming quality checks for PA12/PA11 powders used in PBF-LB/P.
- Guiding process engineers and quality managers in setting acceptance criteria for feedstock powders (particle size, moisture, residual monomer, MVR).
- Supporting validation and traceability: factory test reports accompany powder batches to ensure consistency across production runs.
- Informing R&D and material development for powder recycling, blending strategies and stability testing.
Who should use this standard
- Material suppliers and powder manufacturers
- Additive manufacturing service providers and OEMs using PBF-LB/P
- Quality assurance teams, test laboratories and regulatory/compliance professionals involved in AM feedstock certification
Related Standards
- ISO/ASTM 52900 - Additive manufacturing - General principles - Fundamentals and vocabulary
Keywords: additive manufacturing, PBF-LB/P, powder qualification, PA12, PA11, particle size distribution, melt volume-flow rate, powder characterisation, feedstock materials.