D. Jensen, Denchy, J. Kintzer, P. Balkhandia, M. Uddi, T. Schmitt, G. Troop, and C.H. Chen
Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc., Pennsylvania, United States
Keywords: plasma, additive manufacturing, deoxidation, reconditioned metal powders, energetics
Metal powders used in LPBF additive manufacturing (AM) have limited reuse cycles due to the buildup of an excessive oxide shell on each particle surface. This raises the price of printed parts and strains the supply chain providing the powder. ACT has developed a low-temperature plasma (LTP) treatment that reconditions waste metal powder by removing the excess oxide buildup. LTP processing can be applied to any metal/alloy powder, and the low temperature condition of the process prevents the particle size and shape from changing. Already, ACT has demonstrated a 52% reduction in oxygen buildup in a bronze alloy with a 100-gram batch. Furthermore, the technology can be developed for use onsite for easier and faster industry adoption. Additional applications for ACT's LTP include enhanced energetic and reactive behaviors for propellants, fuels, and explosives as well as their passivation for increased sensitivity and handling.