Overview
SIST EN ISO/ASTM 52928:2025 is an international standard focused on the lifecycle management of metal feedstock materials used in powder-based additive manufacturing (AM) processes. Published by CEN, this standard outlines essential requirements and best practices to ensure the quality and consistency of metal powders throughout their lifecycle, from procurement through reuse and disposal. By supplementing the existing ISO/ASTM 52907 (which concentrates on virgin powder), EN ISO/ASTM 52928 expands guidance to include the management, control, and assurance of both new and used powders. The standard is applicable to powder manufacturers, AM part producers, purchasers of feedstock, quality assurance personnel, and equipment suppliers in the additive manufacturing supply chain.
Key Topics
SIST EN ISO/ASTM 52928:2025 addresses several critical aspects of metal powder management:
- Powder Properties: Defines key characteristics such as particle size, morphology, chemical composition, density, flowability, contamination risk, and absorption behavior, all of which affect the AM process and final product quality.
- Powder Lifecycle: Establishes controls and traceability from feedstock receipt to storage, handling, reuse, recycling, and disposal, ensuring proper documentation and quality management at each stage.
- Test Methods: Provides standardized approaches for evaluating powder properties, including dynamic image analysis, laser diffraction, dry sieving, and chemical analysis, to ensure reliability and repeatability of results.
- Powder Quality Assurance: Sets out procedures for sampling, documentation, analysis frequencies, and certificate of analysis (CoA) requirements, as well as protocols for monitoring environmental and handling influences during the lifespan of both virgin and recycled powder.
Applications
This standard delivers practical value to a range of industries and stakeholders involved in additive manufacturing of metals:
- Manufacturers of Metal Powders: Gain guidance on producing, certifying, and delivering a controlled, high-quality product that meets international expectations.
- Additive Manufacturing Operators: Ensure consistent feedstock quality, traceability, and qualification of input materials, critical for repeatable, high-performance part production.
- Quality Assurance Teams: Implement robust inspection, testing, and documentation processes to minimize risk and support compliance or customer audits.
- Purchasers and Supply Chain Partners: Benefit from transparent supplier requirements and powder lifecycle management, facilitating better purchasing and inventory decisions.
- Testing Equipment Suppliers: Align device offerings and services with recognized methods for powder characterization, supporting manufacturers’ and users’ conformance with industry standards.
By applying EN ISO/ASTM 52928, organizations can maintain strict control over powder quality, support regulatory or customer requirements, and improve the reliability of additively manufactured metal parts. This standard helps minimize contamination, degradation, or performance loss due to improper handling or reuse, supporting efficient resource use and sustainable AM production.
Related Standards
For comprehensive powder lifecycle management in additive manufacturing, users of SIST EN ISO/ASTM 52928:2025 may also reference:
- ISO/ASTM 52900: General principles and vocabulary for additive manufacturing.
- ISO/ASTM 52907: Methods for characterizing metal powders, primarily focused on virgin feedstock.
- ISO 12154: Determination of density by volumetric displacement (gas pycnometry).
- ASTM B923: Test method for skeletal density of metal powders by gas pycnometry.
Together, these documents form a framework supporting quality and consistency in metal powder feedstock for additive manufacturing, driving improved outcomes and confidence in metal AM processes.
Keywords: additive manufacturing, metal powder feedstock, powder lifecycle management, powder properties, powder quality assurance, powder recycling, testing methods, ISO/ASTM 52928, traceability, 3D printing standards.