Structure and particle size characteristics of heat-resistant nickel alloy powders
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15407/mom2025.04.003Keywords:
powders, heat-resistant nickel alloys, microstructure, particle size distribution, bulk densityAbstract
The microstructure and granulometric characteristics of spherical powders of heat-resistant nickel alloys were studied. Metallographic examinations were conducted using a Thermo Scientific Apreo 2C scanning electron microscope (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA), and elemental composition was analyzed using a SER-01 «ElvaxLight» X-ray spectrometer. Granulometric characteristics of the powders were evaluated using ImageJ image analysis software. Bulk density and flowability measurements were carried out in accordance with DSTU/ISO 3923-2:2016 and DSTU/ISO 4490:2016 standards.
The surface morphology of spherical powder particles of CrNi50WMoTiAlNb and CrNi60WTi alloys was investigated for two particle size fractions: 50…200 µm and ≤63 µm. It was demonstrated that the studied powder fractions consist of spherical particles with well-developed, regular dendritic surface microstructures.
Granulometric analysis results were used to construct particle size distribution histograms. For the 50…200 µm fraction of CrNi50WMoTiAlNb, particles with a mean diameter of 136 µm and a polydispersity of 4.1% predominated, while for the ≤63 µm fraction, the mean diameter was 45.6 µm with a polydispersity of 7.6%. For CrNi60WTi, the 50…200 µm fraction was dominated by particles with a mean diameter of 124 µm and a polydispersity of 4.9%, whereas the ≤63 µm fraction had a mean diameter of 29.7 µm and a polydispersity of 8.3%.
Measurements of bulk density and flowability for the spherical powders of CrNi50WMoTiAlNb and CrNi60WTi indicated that decreasing particle size leads to increased polydispersity and bulk density. Fine powders (≤63 µm) exhibited reduced flowability due to enhanced interparticle adhesion. These results suggest that higher polydispersity ensures denser powder packing but limits powder rheological performance, which is a critical factor when preparing feedstock materials for additive manufacturing processes.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Z. A. Duriagina, I. A. Lemishka, V. Ye. Priakhin, A. V. Andreikiv, Yu. I. Boiko
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