Comparison of characteristics of VZHL718 alloy metal powder compositions produced by prep and viga methods after selective laser melting

In this work four metal powder compositions of VZL718 (IN718) alloy are produced, one by vacuum induction melting and gas atomization (VIGA) technology and three by plasma melting and rotating billet centrifugal atomization (PREP) technology. Their particle size distributions, distribution parameters, technological properties, moisture content and gas impurity content of VIGA and PREP initial metal powder compositions are investigated. The differences between VIGA metal powder compositions and PREP metal powder compositions are shown and analyzed, and the differences are explained. Four selective laser melting processes are conducted using the VIGA and PREP metal powder compositions investigated. Particle size distributions, distribution parameters and process characteristics of VIGA metal powder compositions and PREP metal powder compositions after a single application in a selective laser melting process are investigated, and the differences between changes in characteristics and particle size distributions of VIGA and PREP metal powder compositions are revealed. The reasons for the changes identified in VIGA metal powder compositions and PREP metal powder compositions after selective laser melting and the relationships with initial metal powder composition characteristics are explained. Derivations and conclusions about further possibility of reuse of VIGA and PREP metal powder compositions after selective laser melting are made.