IN939 Powder: The Ultimate Guide for 2025

Overview

IN939 powder, also known as Inconel 939, is a high-strength nickel-based superalloy designed for extreme high-temperature applications. It offers excellent oxidation resistance, superior creep strength, and outstanding corrosion resistance, making it ideal for gas turbines, aerospace, and energy applications.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Best IN939 powder for 3D printing
• How to choose the right IN939 powder
• Top suppliers of IN939 powder
• Properties and industrial applications
• Production methods and cost analysis
• Comparing gas-atomized vs. water-atomized IN939 powder

Best IN939 Powder for 3D Printing in 2025

Why IN939 Powder is Ideal for Additive Manufacturing?

• Excellent creep and oxidation resistance, making it ideal for high-temperature environments
• Superior mechanical properties, even at temperatures up to 900°C
• Good weldability and printability, reducing the risk of cracks and defects
• High strength-to-weight ratio, making it suitable for aerospace and industrial applications

Key Factors for Selecting IN939 Powder for 3D Printing

• High sphericity for better flowability
• Controlled particle size distribution for consistent layer formation
• Low oxygen & impurity levels to prevent defects
• Superior mechanical properties post-processing

Comparison for Different 3D Printing Technologies

For high-performance industrial applications, Met3DP’s gas-atomized IN939 powder is the preferred choice. Learn more about Met3DP’s high-quality metal powders.

How to Choose the Right IN939 Powder

Choosing the right IN939 powder depends on factors such as particle size distribution, powder morphology, atomization process, and 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 IN939 powder is the best choice. Contact Met3DP for more details.

Top Suppliers in 2025

Several global manufacturers produce high-quality IN939 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 IN939 product range.

Properties

Key Physical and Chemical Properties

These outstanding properties make it the material of choice for high-temperature structural components, aerospace parts, and industrial applications.

Production Methods

The production method of IN939 powder significantly impacts its particle shape, purity, flowability, and overall mechanical properties. Choosing the right process ensures that the powder meets the stringent requirements of additive manufacturing (AM), metal injection molding (MIM), and sintering applications.

Comparison

1. Gas Atomization

How It Works:

• Molten IN939 is atomized using high-pressure inert gas (argon or nitrogen), rapidly cooling the droplets into fine, spherical particles.

Advantages:
✔ High sphericity, making it ideal for 3D printing
✔ Low oxygen content, reducing oxidation risks
✔ Consistent particle size distribution, improving packing density

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 break molten IN939 into fine particles, resulting in irregular-shaped powders.

Advantages:
✔ Lower cost than gas-atomized powders
✔ Higher surface area, making it suitable for sintering and MIM

Disadvantages:
✖ Poor flowability for additive manufacturing
✖ Higher oxygen content, which may require additional processing

Best for: Metal Injection Molding (MIM), sintering, and thermal spray coatings

3. Plasma Rotating Electrode Process (PREP)

How It Works:

• A rotating IN939 electrode is melted in a plasma environment, forming highly spherical, ultra-pure powders.

Advantages:
✔ Perfect spherical shape, excellent for high-end AM
✔ Ultra-high purity, suitable for aerospace and medical applications
✔ Superior flowability

Disadvantages:
✖ Expensive
✖ Limited production volume

Best for: Aerospace, industrial gas turbines, and precision engineering

For high-performance 3D printing applications, Met3DP’s gas-atomized IN939 powder is the top choice. Explore Met3DP’s powder production solutions.

Cost Analysis

The cost of IN939 powder is influenced by various factors, including production method, particle shape, purity, and market demand.

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, power plants, and gas turbines can impact pricing.

Estimated Price Ranges

For cost-effective, high-quality IN939 powder, Met3DP provides optimized solutions tailored to industry needs. Contact Met3DP for pricing and availability.

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

Choosing the right IN939 powder depends on your application requirements.

Comparison of Different Atomization Methods

For additive manufacturing, gas-atomized it is the best option, offering high purity, flowability, and printability.

FAQ

Q1: What is the best IN939 powder for 3D printing?

Gas-atomized spherical IN939 powder is best for LPBF, EBM, and DED due to its excellent flowability and low oxygen content.

Q2: How does IN939 perform at high temperatures?

It maintains high strength and oxidation resistance up to 900°C, making it ideal for gas turbines, heat exchangers, and power generation equipment.

Q3: Can IN939 be used for metal injection molding (MIM)?

Yes, water-atomized IN939 powder is commonly used in MIM and sintering.

Q4: Where can I buy high-quality IN939 powder?

Met3DP is a leading supplier of gas-atomized IN939 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 IN939 Powder?

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

For high-performance IN939 powder, Met3DP provides cutting-edge solutions tailored to demanding applications.

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