IN738LC Powder: The Ultimate Guide for 2025

Overview

IN738LC powder, a nickel-based superalloy, is specifically designed for high-temperature applications requiring excellent oxidation resistance, creep strength, and thermal fatigue resistance. This alloy is widely used in gas turbines, aerospace components, and industrial power generation due to its exceptional mechanical properties at temperatures up to 980°C.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Best IN738LC powder for 3D printing
• How to choose the right IN738LC powder
• Top suppliers of IN738LC powder
• Properties and industrial applications
• Production methods and cost analysis
• Comparing gas-atomized vs. water-atomized IN738LC powder

Best IN738LC Powder for 3D Printing in 2025

Why IN738LC Powder is Ideal for Additive Manufacturing?

• Superior high-temperature strength, making it ideal for gas turbines and aerospace applications
• Excellent oxidation and corrosion resistance, even in extreme environments
• Good weldability, reducing the risk of cracking during printing
• Retains mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, ensuring long service life

Key Factors for Selecting IN738LC Powder for 3D Printing

• High sphericity for better flowability in powder bed fusion processes
• Controlled particle size distribution for enhanced printability
• Low oxygen & impurity levels to prevent defects
• Optimized mechanical properties post-processing

Comparison for Different 3D Printing Technologies

For high-performance aerospace and industrial applications, Met3DP’s gas-atomized IN738LC powder is the preferred choice. Learn more about Met3DP’s high-quality metal powders.

How to Choose the Right IN738LC Powder

Selecting the right IN738LC powder requires considering factors such as particle size distribution, powder morphology, atomization process, and specific application requirements.

1. Particle Size Distribution (PSD)

• Fine powders (15-45µm) → Best for Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF)
• Medium powders (45-105µm) → Suitable for EBM & Binder Jetting
• Coarse powders (50-150µm) → Used in Direct Energy Deposition (DED)

2. Powder Morphology

• Spherical Powder → Best for 3D printing due to superior flowability
• Irregular Powder → Suitable for Binder Jetting & Sintering

3. Atomization Process

• Gas-Atomized Powder → High purity, excellent flowability, best for 3D printing
• Water-Atomized Powder → More affordable, irregular shape, best for sintering & MIM

Comparison of Different Types

For high-precision 3D printing, Met3DP’s gas-atomized IN738LC powder is the best choice. Contact Met3DP for more details.

Top Suppliers in 2025

Several global manufacturers produce high-quality IN738LC powder, but not all powders meet the stringent additive manufacturing requirements.

Leading Suppliers and Their Offerings

Among these, Met3DP stands out due to its cutting-edge atomization technology and consistent powder quality. Explore Met3DP’s IN738LC product range.

Properties

Key Physical and Chemical Properties

These outstanding properties make IN738LC powder the material of choice for high-temperature structural components, aerospace parts, and turbine engines.

Production Methods

The production method of IN738LC powder plays a critical role in determining its particle shape, purity, density, and overall performance in additive manufacturing (AM), metal injection molding (MIM), and sintering applications.

Comparison

1. Gas Atomization

How It Works:

• Molten IN738LC is atomized using high-pressure argon or nitrogen gas, rapidly cooling the droplets into fine, spherical particles.

Advantages:
✔ High sphericity, improving 3D printing performance
✔ Low oxygen content, preventing oxidation-related defects
✔ Excellent flowability, ensuring consistent powder deposition

Best for: Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), Electron Beam Melting (EBM), and Direct Energy Deposition (DED)

2. Water Atomization

How It Works:

• High-pressure water jets fragment molten IN738LC, producing irregular-shaped powder particles.

Advantages:
✔ Lower cost compared to gas-atomized powder
✔ Higher surface area, improving sintering efficiency

Disadvantages:
✖ Poor flowability, making it unsuitable for many AM processes
✖ Higher oxygen content, requiring additional post-processing

Best for: MIM, sintering, and thermal spray coatings

3. Plasma Rotating Electrode Process (PREP)

How It Works:

• A rotating IN738LC electrode is melted in a plasma environment, forming highly spherical, ultra-pure powders.

Advantages:
✔ Nearly perfect spherical shape, ensuring outstanding flowability
✔ Ultra-high purity, making it ideal for aerospace and medical applications
✔ Minimal satellite particles, leading to superior print quality

Disadvantages:
✖ Higher production costs
✖ Limited scalability for large-scale production

Best for: Aerospace, medical implants, industrial gas turbines

For high-performance 3D printing applications, Met3DP’s gas-atomized IN738LC powder is the best choice. Explore Met3DP’s powder production solutions.

Cost Analysis

The price of it depends on several factors, including production method, particle morphology, and supply-demand dynamics.

Factors Affecting Cost

1. Production Method – PREP powders are the most expensive, while water-atomized powders are the most affordable.
2. Particle Shape – Spherical powders (better for AM) are more expensive than irregular powders.
3. Purity Level – Higher purity = Higher cost.
4. Market Demand – Increased demand from aerospace, energy, and power generation industries can impact pricing.

Estimated Price Ranges

For cost-effective, high-quality IN738LC powder, Met3DP provides precision-engineered solutions tailored to industrial needs. Contact Met3DP for pricing and availability.

Gas Atomized vs. Water Atomized vs. PREP: Which is Better?

Choosing the right IN738LC powder depends on your application requirements.

Comparison of Different Atomization Methods

For additive manufacturing, gas-atomized IN738LC powder remains the best choice, offering high purity, flowability, and printability.

FAQ

Q1: What is the best IN738LC powder for 3D printing?

Gas-atomized spherical IN738LC powder is best for LPBF, EBM, and DED due to its excellent flowability and low oxygen content.

Q2: How does IN738LC perform at high temperatures?

It maintains high strength and oxidation resistance up to 980°C, making it ideal for gas turbines, heat exchangers, and power generation equipment.

Q3: Can IN738LC be used for metal injection molding (MIM)?

Yes, water-atomized IN738LC powder is commonly used in MIM and sintering applications.

Q4: Where can I buy high-quality IN738LC powder?

Met3DP is a leading supplier of gas-atomized IN738LC powder, optimized for 3D printing and high-performance applications. Contact Met3DP today!

Conclusion

It is widely used in high-temperature and corrosion-resistant applications, including aerospace, automotive, and industrial processing. Selecting the right powder type, production method, and supplier is essential for ensuring optimal performance and reliability.

Why Choose Met3DP’s IN738LC Powder?

✅ Industry-leading gas atomization technology
✅ High-purity spherical powders for additive manufacturing
✅ Reliable supply chain & global distribution

For high-performance IN738LC powder, Met3DP provides cutting-edge solutions tailored to demanding applications.

Want to learn more or get a quote? Contact Met3DP today!