[T1] Powder Production

[15C-T1-11] Recycling and Reconditioning of Additive Manufacturing Metallic Powders by RF Plasma Treatment

*J. P. Altenberend¹, O. Bailly², E. Cabrol³, R. Dolbec², H. S. Mohand³, P. Van Wijk¹, R. Vert¹ (1.Tekna Plasma Europe, France, 2.Tekna Plasma Systems, Canada, 3.Centrale Lyon ENISE / LTDS, France)

Keywords:Recycling, Sustainability, RF plasma, spheroidization, deoxidation

In most additive manufacturing (AM) processes, a significant fraction of the non-consolidated powder can be reintroduced into the process. However, after several cycles, altered flowability and/or oxygen pick up make such powders unsuitable for their reuse so that they become waste material. Radio Frequency (RF) plasma treatment can increase the flowability of these powders and for many materials it can even reduce oxygen content. As a result, powders initially considered as waste can now be transformed into high quality powders. In this study we review the literature related to RF plasma treatment for powder recycling and powder reconditioning and the physical and chemical phenomena are discussed. The limits and opportunities for the use of RF plasma for powder reconditioning of different materials are deduced.