ASTM F3049-14(2021)

Standard Guide for Characterizing Properties of Metal Powders Used for Additive Manufacturing Processes

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Determining the properties of the feedstock powder used in these processes is a necessary condition for industry’s confidence in powder selection and ability to produce consistent components with known and predictable properties. The intention of this guide is to provide purchasers, vendors, or producers of metal powder to be used in additive manufacturing processes with a reference for existing standards or variations of existing standards that may be used to characterize properties of metal powders used for additive manufacturing processes. It will serve as a starting point for the future development of a suite of specific standard test methods that will address each individual property or property type that is important to the performance of metal-based additive manufacturing systems and the components produced by them. While the focus of this standard is on metal powder, some of the referenced methods may also be appropriate for non-metal powders.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide introduces the reader to techniques for metal powder characterization that may be useful for powder-based additive manufacturing processes including binder jetting, directed energy deposition, and powder bed fusion. It refers the reader to other, existing standards that may be applicable for the characterization of virgin and used metal powders processed in additive manufacturing systems.2  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2021
• ICS: 77.160 - Powder metallurgy
• Technical Committee: F42 - Additive Manufacturing Technologies
• Drafting Committee: F42.05 - Materials and Processes

Relations

• Refers: ASTM B923-23 - Standard Test Method for Metal Powder Skeletal Density by Helium or Nitrogen Pycnometry
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM E2465-23 - Standard Test Method for Analysis of Ni-Base Alloys by Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM B329-20 - Standard Test Method for Apparent Density of Metal Powders and Compounds Using the Scott Volumeter
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM B213-20 - Standard Test Methods for Flow Rate of Metal Powders Using the Hall Flowmeter Funnel
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM E2465-19 - Standard Test Method for Analysis of Ni-Base Alloys by Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019
• Refers: ASTM B783-19 - Standard Specification for Materials for Ferrous Powder Metallurgy (PM) Structural Parts
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019
• Refers: ASTM E539-19 - Standard Test Method for Analysis of Titanium Alloys by Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2019
• Refers: ASTM B329-18 - Standard Test Method for Apparent Density of Metal Powders and Compounds Using the Scott Volumeter
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Refers: ASTM B243-18 - Standard Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Refers: ASTM B923-16 - Standard Test Method for Metal Powder Skeletal Density by Helium or Nitrogen Pycnometry
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2016
• Refers: ASTM B243-16 - Standard Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2016
• Refers: ASTM B329-14 - Standard Test Method for<brk type="line"/> Apparent Density of Metal Powders and Compounds Using the Scott Volumeter
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Refers: ASTM B527-14 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Tap Density of Metal Powders and Compounds
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2014
• Refers: ASTM B243-13 - Standard Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM B783-13 - Standard Specification for Materials for Ferrous Powder Metallurgy (PM) Structural Parts
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013

Overview

ASTM F3049-14(2021), Standard Guide for Characterizing Properties of Metal Powders Used for Additive Manufacturing Processes, provides a comprehensive reference for purchasers, vendors, and producers of metal powders utilized in additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. This guide is essential for ensuring quality, reliability, and performance in metal AM processes by directing users to appropriate standards and methodologies for powder characterization. The standard covers key powder properties such as particle size, shape, density, flow, and chemical composition, which are all critical for achieving consistent, predictable results in 3D printed metal components.

Key Topics

• Importance of Powder Characterization
  Accurate measurement of feedstock powder properties underpins confident powder selection, process stability, and reliable end-use part performance in additive manufacturing.

• Supported Additive Manufacturing Processes
  The guide highlights characterization techniques suitable for various AM technologies, including:

  • Powder bed fusion
  • Binder jetting
  • Directed energy deposition

• Referenced Methods and Key Properties
  ASTM F3049-14(2021) references a suite of existing ASTM, ISO, and MPIF standards for measuring:

  • Particle size and particle size distribution (e.g., sieve analysis, light scattering)
  • Powder morphology (e.g., image analysis)
  • Chemical composition (e.g., inert gas fusion, X-ray fluorescence)
  • Flow characteristics (e.g., Hall and Carney funnel flowmeters)
  • Density (apparent, tap, and skeletal density)

• Application of SI Units
  All measurements align with SI units, establishing international consistency.

• Considerations for Safety and Quality
  The standard underscores the importance of appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices during powder characterization and processing.

Applications

Implementing ASTM F3049-14(2021) delivers practical benefits in advanced manufacturing environments using metal powders, such as:

• Feedstock Validation for AM
  Ensures that new or recycled metal powders meet stringent quality controls for use in powder-based AM systems, supporting process qualification and part certification.

• Process Optimization and Control
  By characterizing critical properties like powder flow and density, manufacturers can optimize AM process parameters, leading to improved predictability and material usage efficiency.

• Quality Assurance and Traceability
  Standardized characterization enables traceable records and repeatable quality in production, essential for critical sectors such as aerospace, medical, and automotive industries.

• Supplier Communication
  Provides a common language and reference framework for powder suppliers and users, minimizing misunderstandings and ensuring precise specification compliance.

Related Standards

ASTM F3049-14(2021) is a guidance document and refers users to many widely recognized powder characterization standards, including:

• ASTM B214: Sieve Analysis of Metal Powders
• ASTM B212, B327, B703: Apparent Density Determinations
• ASTM B213, B964: Flow Rate and Flowmeter Methods
• ASTM B822: Particle Size Distribution by Light Scattering
• ASTM E1447, E1941, E2371: Chemical Composition
• MPIF Standards 01–48: Sampling, Density, Flow Rate for Metal Powders
• ISO 3923, ISO 4497, ISO 13320: International methods for density and particle size

Keywords

• Metal powder characterization
• Additive manufacturing powder standards
• Particle size measurement
• Powder flow analysis
• Powder bed fusion feedstock
• Chemical composition of metal powders
• Powder density determination
• 3D printing powder specifications
• Quality control in metal AM

By following ASTM F3049-14(2021), stakeholders in the additive manufacturing supply chain can confidently evaluate and document metal powder characteristics, enhancing product quality, repeatability, and industry interoperability.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3049 − 14 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Guide for
Characterizing Properties of Metal Powders Used for
Additive Manufacturing Processes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3049; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope B214 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Metal Powders
B215 Practices for Sampling Metal Powders
1.1 This guide introduces the reader to techniques for metal
B243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
powder characterization that may be useful for powder-based
B329 Test Method for Apparent Density of Metal Powders
additive manufacturing processes including binder jetting,
and Compounds Using the Scott Volumeter
directedenergydeposition,andpowderbedfusion.Itrefersthe
B417 Test Method for Apparent Density of Non-Free-
reader to other, existing standards that may be applicable for
Flowing Metal Powders Using the Carney Funnel
the characterization of virgin and used metal powders pro-
2 B527 Test Method for Tap Density of Metal Powders and
cessed in additive manufacturing systems.
Compounds
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
B703 Test Method for Apparent Density of Metal Powders
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
and Related Compounds Using the Arnold Meter
standard.
B783 Specification for Materials for Ferrous Powder Metal-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
lurgy (PM) Structural Parts
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the B822 Test Method for Particle Size Distribution of Metal
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Powders and Related Compounds by Light Scattering
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- B855 Test Method for Volumetric Flow Rate of Metal
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Powders Using the Arnold Meter and Hall Flowmeter
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- Funnel
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
B923 Test Method for Metal Powder Skeletal Density by
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the Helium or Nitrogen Pycnometry
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
B964 Test Methods for Flow Rate of Metal Powders Using
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
the Carney Funnel
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. E539 Test Method for Analysis of Titanium Alloys by
Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
2. Referenced Documents
E572 Test Method forAnalysis of Stainless andAlloy Steels
byWavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrom-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
etry
B212 Test Method for Apparent Density of Free-Flowing
E1447 Test Method for Determination of Hydrogen in Tita-
Metal Powders Using the Hall Flowmeter Funnel
nium and Titanium Alloys by Inert Gas Fusion Thermal
B213 Test Methods for Flow Rate of Metal Powders Using
Conductivity/Infrared Detection Method
the Hall Flowmeter Funnel
E1569 Test Method for Determination of Oxygen in Tanta-
lum Powder by Inert Gas Fusion Technique (Withdrawn
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF42onAdditive
2018)
Manufacturing Technologies and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
E1638 Terminology Relating to Sieves, Sieving Methods,
F42.05 on Materials and Processes.
and Screening Media
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2021. Published October 2021. Originally
approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as F3049–14. DOI:
E1941 Test Method for Determination of Carbon in Refrac-
10.1520/F3049-14R21.
tory and Reactive Metals andTheirAlloys by Combustion
Cooke, A. L., Slotwinski, J. A., “Properties of Metal Powders for Additive
Analysis
Manufacturing:AReviewoftheStateoftheArtofMetalPowderPropertyTesting,”
NIST IR 7873, July, 2012. Online, Available: http://www.nist.gov/manuscript- E2371 Test Method for Analysis of Titanium and Titanium
publication-search.cfm?pub_id=911339
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3049 − 14 (2021)
Alloys by Direct Current Plasma and Inductively Coupled ing processes with a reference for existing standards or
Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (Performance- variations of existing standards that may be used to character-
Based Test Methodology) ize properties of metal powders used for additive manufactur-
E2465 Test Method for Analysis of Ni-Base Alloys by ing processes. It will serve as a starting point for the future
Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry development of a suite of specific standard test methods that
E2594 Test Method forAnalysis of NickelAlloys by Induc- will address each individual property or property type that is
tively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry important to the performance of metal-based additive manu-
(Performance-Based) facturing systems and the components produced by them.
E2626 Guide for Spectrometric Analysis of Reactive and While the focus of this standard is on metal powder, some of
Refractory Metals (Withdrawn 2017) the referenced methods may also be appropriate for non-metal
E2792 Test Method for Determination of Hydrogen in Alu- powders.
minum and Aluminum Alloys by Inert Gas Fusion
F2792 Terminology for Additive Manufacturing Technolo-
5. Tests for Measuring Powder Properties
gies (Withdrawn 2015)
5.1 Sampling:
2.2 ISO Standards:
5.1.1 Practice B215 outlines procedures for sampling metal
ISO 3923-1, ISO 3923-2 Metallic Powders, Determination
powders transferred from blenders or storage tanks, as well as
of Apparent Density
metal powders already package in containers such as bags.The
ISO 4497 Metallic Powders, Determination of Particle Size
techniques in this standard are readily applicable to metal
by Dry Sieving
powders used in additive manufacturing. MPIF Standard 01
ISO 8302 Thermal Insulation – Determination of Steady-
provides similar procedures.
State Areal Thermal Resistance and Related Properties –
5.2 Size Determination:
Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus
5.2.1 The procedures outlined in Test Method B214 give
ISO 13320-1 Particle Size Analysis – Laser Diffraction
detailed specifications for determining powder particle sizes
Methods – Part 1: General Principles
through a sieving process. This process is applicable for sieves
2.3 Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) Stan-
with openings from 45 to 1000 µm, and therefore not suitable
dards:
for powders with particles smaller than 45 µm. MPIF Standard
MPIF Standard 01 Sampling Metal Powders
05 gives similar procedures, as does ISO 4497.
MPIF Standard 03 Flow Rate of Free-Flowing Metal Pow-
5.2.2 Test Method B822 describes the use of light scattering
ders Using the Hall Apparatus
to measure the particle size distribution. This test method
MPIF Standard 04 Apparent Density of Free-Flowing Metal
describes the limitations of this technique, which may be used
Powders Using the Hall Apparatus
as agreed upon by user and manufacturer to measure particle
MPIF Standard 05 Sieve Analysis of Metal Powders
size distribution for metal powders for additive manufacturing
MPIF Standard
...