High grade biomedical implants, automotive and aerospace parts are among the objects that can be made from metal powders using additive manufacturing processes. The makers and users of metal powders will be among those who will benefit from a new ASTM International standard, ASTM F3049, Guide for Characterizing Properties of Metal Powders Used for Additive Manufacturing Processes.
John A. Slotwinski, a physicist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and an ASTM member, notes that the new standard will help those who are faced with the large number of existing standards on metal powder properties.
“ASTM F3049 will point readers to existing metal powder standards that may be appropriate for additive manufacturing powders,” says Slotwinksi. “It will provide guidance for someone who may want to measure the properties of AM powders but doesn’t necessarily know what standard methods exist.”
In addition to ASTM F3049, Slotwinksi says that a companion standard covering the mechanical properties of metal parts, ASTM WK43112, Guide for Evaluating Mechanical Properties of Materials Made Via Additive Manufacturing Processes, is also in the works.
ASTM F3049 was developed by Subcommittee F42.05 on Materials and Processes, while ASTM WK43112 is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee F42.01 on Test Methods. Both subcommittees are part of ASTM International Committee F42 on Additive Manufacturing Technologies.
ASTM International welcomes participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.
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ASTM Committee F42 Next Meeting: Jan. 26-27, 2015, ASTM International Headquarters, West Conshohocken, Pa.
Technical Contact: John A. Slotwinski, Ph.D., National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Md., Phone: 301-975-2171; john.slotwinski@nist.gov
ASTM Staff Contact: Pat Picariello, Phone: 610-832-9720; ppicariello@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org
