Binder Jetting Additive Manufacturing of Water-Atomized Iron

Binder jetting additive manufacturing (BJAM) was deployed to processing of low-cost, water-atomized pure iron powder. Surface morphology and particle size distribution of the powder were fully characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle dynamic image analysis via Retsch Camsizer X2. Cylindrical samples were fabricated, and in the AM process, the effects of powder compaction, layer thickness and liquid binder level on green part density were studied. Density analysis was performed using x-ray computed tomography (µCT). The potential application and future research work will be outlined based on the characterization results.