in718 metal powder, also known as Inconel 718 powder, is a nickel-based alloy powder used in various high-temperature applications. It offers excellent tensile, fatigue, creep, and rupture strength at high temperatures along with outstanding corrosion and oxidation resistance.

in718 powder can be processed into parts using additive manufacturing techniques like selective laser melting (SLM), electron beam melting (EBM), binder jetting, and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). This allows complex geometries and lightweight structures to be created for aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, and biomedical industries.

Types of in718 Metal Powder

Type	Composition	Particle Shape	Size Range (μm)	Apparent Density (g/cm3)	Flowability
Gas atomized	Ni 53%, Cr 19%, Nb 5%, Fe 18%, Ti 1%, Al 0.5%, C 0.08% max	Spheroidal	15-45	4.2-4.5	Excellent
Plasma atomized	Same as gas atomized	Spheroidal	10-45	4.2-4.5	Good
Water atomized	Same as gas atomized	Irregular	45-150	4.5-5.0	Fair

• Gas and plasma atomized powders have spherical powder particles that allow excellent flowability, packing density, and spreadability for additive manufacturing.
• Water atomized powders have more irregular shapes with higher surface oxygen content that can cause issues during printing.
• Smaller powder sizes between 15-45 microns are preferred for better resolution and surface finish. However 10-150 microns can be used based on application.

Properties of in718 Metal Powder

Property	Value
Density	8.19 g/cm3
Melting Point	1260-1336°C
Thermal Conductivity	11.4 W/mK
Specific Heat	435 J/kgK
Tensile Strength	1275 MPa
Yield Strength	1035 MPa
Elongation	12%

• High strength is maintained to over 700°C, with insignificant loss up to 980°C
• Excellent corrosion resistance in various aggressive environments up to 900°C
• Resists oxidation in hot gases up to 1000°C through formation of adherent oxide layer
• Retains mechanical properties under sustained loads at temperatures up to 650°C

These properties make in718 suitable for harsh environments in aerospace, energy, automotive and chemical/petrochemical industries.

Applications of in718 Metal Powder

Industry	Applications
Aerospace	Turbine blades, disks, combustors, afterburners, shafts, cases, fasteners, gears, fittings
Oil and Gas	Seals, valves, downhole tools, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, fasteners
Automotive	Turbocharger components, valves, exhaust components
Industrial Gas Turbines	Combustion liners, shrouds, nozzles, heat shields
Medical	Orthopedic implants, prosthetics
Chemical and Petrochemical	Reformer tubes, heat exchanger components

• Aircraft engine parts like blades and disks are the largest application area to leverage high-temperature strength
• Oil and gas industry uses in718 for deep sea drilling tools and offshore platform components needing corrosion resistance
• Automotive parts like turbocharger rotors and exhaust manifold studs utilize the heat and wear resistance
• Biomedical sector capitalizes on biocompatibility for long-lasting joint replacements and implants

These diverse applications underline the versatility of properties that in718 powder-based components possess.

Specifications and Standards

Organization	Designation
AMS	AMS 5662, AMS 5699, AMS 5832, AMS 5993
ASME	ASME SB-671
ASTM	ASTM B299, ASTM F3055, ASTM F3056
ISO	ISO 4957
SAE	SAE AMS 2604, SAE AMS 2631

These specifications dictate the permissible level of compositions, mechanical properties, product forms, heat treatment procedures, testing methodology and batch/lot traceability required for aerospace, defense and industrial applications.

Suppliers and Pricing

Supplier	Price Range
Sandvik	$$$
Praxair	$$$
LPW Technology	$$
AMC Powders	$

• $ = $100-$150/kg, $$ = $150-$250/kg, $$$ = $250-$400/kg
• High performance powders used in critical applications are costlier
• Buyers must evaluate powder properties versus price trade-offs carefully
• Consider qualification status of suppliers per industry specifications
• Request test reports, quality certifications and technical data sheets
• Seek support on part design, printing parameters and quality guidance

So while price is important, the technical sales support and consistent powder quality based on qualifications play a vital role.

Comparative Analysis

Parameter	in718	Waspaloy	Haynes 282	Hastelloy X
Cost	Moderate	High	Very high	High
Processability	Good	Fair	Poor	Good
Thermal fatigue resistance	Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor
High temperature tensile strength	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Fair
Oxidation resistance	Excellent	Good	Excellent	Excellent
Weldability	Fair	Poor	Good	Excellent

• in718 offers the best balance of capabilities for most applications
• Waspaloy has greater high-temperature strength but lower thermal fatigue life
• Haynes 282 matches strength but has poorer fabrication characteristics
• Hastelloy X has good environmental resistance but lower strength

So in718 provides an optimal combination of strength, fatigue life, oxidation resistance and affordability.

Key Applications Comparison

Application	Preferred Alloy
Aircraft engines	in718, Waspaloy
Steam turbines	in718
Oil drilling components	in718, Hastelloy X
Aerospace fasteners	Haynes 282, in718
Heat treatment equipment	Hastelloy X
Medical implants	in718, Cobalt Chrome

• For jet engine parts, in718 and Waspaloy are widely used
• Steam turbine blades utilize in718 for thermal fatigue resistance
• Oil industry prefers corrosion resistant grades like in718 and Hastelloy
• Aerospace fasteners use precipitation hardening alloys for strength
• Heat treatment furnaces need exceptional oxidation resistance like Hastelloy X
• Joint implants leverage biocompatibility and high strength of in718 or cobalt chrome

Underlining the high adoption of in718 across the broadest range of high performance applications.

FAQs

Question	Answer
Is in718 printable with a basic desktop SLS 3D printer?	No, in718 requires industrial SLM, DMLS or EBM printers capable of laser powers over 400W to achieve fully dense parts.
What are some alternatives to in718 powder?	For high temperature strength, alternatives are Haynes 282, Waspaloy, Rene 41, Hastelloy X. For corrosion resistance, N066 alloys work. For lower cost, stainless steel can sometimes substitute.
What post processing is needed on AM in718 components?	Heat treatment including hot isostatic pressing and multi-step aging is applied to enhance ductility and relieve stresses. Additionally, some finish machining or treatments may be used.
Is in718 metal powder reusable after additive manufacturing?	Yes, good quality in718 powder can be recovered using powder recycling systems and blended with small percentages of fresh powder for reuse.

Conclusion

in718 nickel alloy delivers an exceptional balance of high strength retention at elevated temperatures along with excellent long term thermal stability, oxidation and corrosion resistance for the most demanding applications. Additive manufacturing harnesses these intrinsic material merits to fabricate complex lightweight and high-performance metal components.

With rising adoption across aerospace, oil & gas, powergen and automotive sectors driven by its capability matrix, in718 continues to be the workhorse superalloy for 3D printing. Comparing very favorably against alternatives on performance, fabrication and economics – highlighting why in718 is the gold standard powder alloy for mission-critical metal AM parts now and for the foreseeable future.

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