Nickel-Based Alloy Powder

Better Metal’s nickel alloy powders exhibit outstanding spherical morphology under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) inspection. The powder particles feature ultra-smooth surfaces, minimal satellite attachment, virtually zero hollow spheres, and exceptionally low porosity. This pristine morphology ensures excellent packing density, stable Hall flow rates, and high recoater-blade spreading uniformity during powder bed fusion processes.

Advanced Atomization Technologies

VIGA (Vacuum Induction Melting Gas Atomization): Ideal for batch-scale, cost-effective manufacturing of high-cleanliness spherical powders with tightly controlled elemental chemistry.

EIGA (Electrode Induction Melting Gas Atomization): Ceramic-free melting utilizing rotating electrodes, completely eliminating non-metallic ceramic inclusions; optimized for reactive and high-purity aerospace superalloys.

PREP (Plasma Rotating Electrode Process): Produces ultra-clean, perfectly spherical, satellite-free powders with minimal internal gas pores, highly suitable for Electron Beam Melting (EBM) and critical aerospace rotating components.

Core Flagship Alloy Grades

Inconel® 718 / GH4169 / UNS N07718: High-strength precipitation-hardening grade with excellent weldability and cracking resistance; rated for service up to 650°C in rocket engines and turbine discs.

Inconel® 625 / GH3625 / UNS N06625: Solid-solution strengthened superalloy with remarkable resistance to oxidation, fatigue, and chloride pitting; widely printed for marine manifolds and chemical heat exchangers.

Hastelloy® X / GH3536 / UNS N06002: High-temperature oxidation and stress-corrosion resistant alloy with superior ductility; ideal for combustion chamber liners and afterburner parts operating up to 1200°C.

Haynes® 230 / GH3230: Premium thermal stability, low thermal expansion, and exceptional resistance to grain coarsening at elevated temperatures.

GH4099 / GH5188: High-temperature structural alloys providing elevated thermal fatigue endurance and creep resistance for combustion transition sections.

High-Temperature Cast-Equivalent Powders: Mar-M247, IN738LC, IN939, K438, and customized nickel/cobalt-based high-temperature brazing powders.

Particle Size Distribution (PSD) by Manufacturing Process

LPBF / SLM (Laser Powder Bed Fusion): 15 – 53 µm (High sphericity, excellent spreadability, zero recoater friction).

EBM (Electron Beam Melting): 45 – 106 µm (Balanced electrical conductivity, minimum smoke events).

DED / LMD (Direct Energy Deposition / Laser Cladding): 45 – 150 µm / 53 – 150 µm (Stable powder feed rate, minimal nozzle clogging).

Thermal Spraying / HVOF: 15 – 45 µm / 20 – 53 µm (High deposition efficiency, dense, non-porous coatings).

MIM (Metal Injection Molding): 0 – 25 µm / < 20 µm (High sinterability and near-100% density).

Custom sizing, tight cuts, and narrow bimodal distributions are available upon request.

Key Performance Metrics

Sphericity Factor: ≥ 0.92

Hall Flowability: ≤ 16–22 s / 50 g (for standard 15–53 µm cuts)

Apparent Density: ≥ 4.4 – 4.9 g/cm³

Tap Density: ≥ 5.0 – 5.6 g/cm³

Total Gas Content: Oxygen (O) ≤ 100–180 ppm; Nitrogen (N) ≤ 60–120 ppm (grade dependent).

Primary Target Applications

Aerospace & Defense: Additively manufactured rocket combustion injectors, liquid fuel turbopump blisks, conformal-cooling thruster chambers, and complex missile airframes.

Industrial Gas Turbines: Complex air-cooled nozzle guide vanes, transition ducts, and burner tips.