Name: Powder characterization according to Ma-0015
Brand: FILAB
SKU: FILAB-37899
Rating: 4.9 (83 reviews)

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As part of your activities related to the additive manufacturing process, you wish to characterize metal powders according to the Ma-0015 criteria

What is Ma-0015?

Ma-0015 is a document written by SAFRAN that describes the general conditions for supply, processing and acceptance of metal powders intended for the manufacture of items or parts of items designed by SAFRAN.

What are the requirements set out by Ma-0015?

To ensure the quality of the parts produced, metal powders must therefore meet numerous requirements. The parameters regularly assessed are:

particle size analysis generally performed by laser diffraction in accordance with ISO 13320, providing access to the particle size distribution and determination of characteristic parameters (d10, d50, d90),

flowability characterized by a flow time measured using a calibrated funnel such as a Hall flow cone in accordance with ISO 4490 and ASTM B 213, or a Carney funnel in accordance with ASTM B 964,

bulk density and tapped density used to mechanically characterize a powder’s ability to organize itself by expelling air between the particles. These tests are performed using a tapping volumeter in accordance with ASTM B 527 and ISO 3953. The Hausner ratio corresponds to the ratio of tapped density to bulk density,

true density determined by pycnometry in accordance with ISO 12154 or ASTM B 923. This parameter can notably be used to calculate the internal porosity rate using the theoretical density (for example, that of a solid material),

morphology characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG-SEM) and Optical Microscopy to assess particle morphology, sphericity, and satelliting (small-diameter powder agglomerated onto large-diameter powder in recycled materials),

moisture content determined gravimetrically after drying in accordance with ASTM E 1868,

chemical composition of metal powders. It is determined using spectroscopic techniques such as ICP-AES and ICP-MS, as well as elemental analysis techniques after combustion to quantify the elements C, S, N, O and H.

Compliance with the requirements associated with these various characteristics enables the metal powder to produce, on the manufactured part, a low defect rate (porosity, inclusion, etc.) and a high level of compactness, synonymous with excellent mechanical properties.

The FILAB laboratory is approved by SAFRAN for powder analysis according to the Ma-0015 specifications

Why choose the FILAB laboratory for powder characterization according to Ma-0015?

In France, FILAB is one of the few laboratories able to offer you a complete range of analytical equipment for carrying out these services, which require both expertise in chemical analysis (organic and inorganic) and in the characterization of materials, particularly powders.

In accordance with the Ma-0015 technical specifications and under the SAFRAN accreditation, the FILAB laboratory performs the chemical analysis and physical tests on powders presented below:

OUR POWDER ANALYSES

Analysis of the chemical composition of metal powders by ICP-AES, ICP-MS and/or by C/S, O/N, H… elemental analysis

Specific surface area analysis by BET

Density measurement according to ASTM B527, ISO 3953,

Characterization of metal powders according to SM 10015

Particle size analysis by laser diffraction in accordance with ISO 13320

Flowability measurement in accordance with ASTM B213, ISO 4490 and ASTM B964,

Morphological analysis by FEG-SEM EDX or Optical Microscopy

Also, the FILAB laboratory can support you with the ASTM F3001 standard: Additive Manufacturing Titanium-6 Aluminum-4 Vanadium ELI (Extra Low Interstitial) with Powder Bed Fusion.

Instruments for metal powder analysis:

GranuHeap: measurement of the static properties of a metal powder (angle of repose, static cohesion index).
GranuDrum: measurement of the flow properties (flow angle, dynamic cohesion index, first avalanche angle, powder aeration).
GranuPack: measurement of the dynamic compaction of a metal powder (bulk density, tapped density, Hausner ratio, densification dynamics).
GranuFlow: measurement of flow through orifices, a key indicator of powder flowability.
GranuCharge: measurement of the electrostatic properties of metal powders.