To see product availability
Loading...
As a leading supplier of industrial gases, Airgas, an Air Liquide company, offers an unrivaled national distribution network, plus decades of experience and relationships with leading manufacturers of metal powder. We are ready to provide valuable support throughout the powder production cycle from melting and atomization, to chemical reduction processes, to passivation and powder sizing, plus storage and transport.
Demand for powder, especially metal powder, is growing at an enormous rate as more companies embrace the use of additive manufacturing or 3D printing. As powder usage increases so too does the need for an efficient production process designed to support your biggest challenges.
Limiting oxidation, controlling powder size and quality, and ensuring you do not use more gas than necessary are all possible with the right gas supplier. In addition, our extensive offering of safety and personal protection equipment means we have the tools you need to keep your team safe.
What are your challenges?
No matter the type of metal powder you are producing — titanium, aluminum, nickel, stainless steel, or something else — it’s important to tailor gas parameters for each specific process so you produce high-performance powders that meet the rigorous demands of additive manufacturing. Here are some of the ways our gases are used.
Melting: During melting, gases such as argon and nitrogen create an inert environment crucial for maintaining metal purity and preventing the formation of oxides.
Mechanical milling: Argon and nitrogen are often used to displace oxygen and other reactive gases during mechanical milling.
Gas atomization: Gas pressure, flow rate, and temperature have a significant influence on the characteristics of powder created during gas atomization. We can advise on how to achieve optimal pressure and flow rates so your powders have the flowability, packing density, and layer uniformity required for parts building.
Powder sizing: Gases play an essential role here by providing the inert atmosphere needed to minimize oxygen exposure and enable more reuse cycles. Gases are also used to reduce the risk of fire or explosion when working with materials like titanium.
Chemical: Powders fabricated using chemical processes have a tendency to deviate from a spherical shape so argon and helium are used with a process called plasma spheroidization.
Powder storage and transportation: Gases such as argon and nitrogen are used to protect powder from degradation and contamination.
In addition to supporting various powder manufacturing processes, we can also help you choose the most efficient gas supply mode and delivery method, helping keep waste to a minimum.
A safe, reliable supply of welding and other gases with minimal impurities in a variety of innovative supply modes so you never run out.
Implement process solutions that solve your specific challenges including powder quality.
A complete portfolio of safety solutions from 60+ QSSP- and OSHA 30-certified specialists and a full line of safety products and PPE, including oxygen sensors and respirators, to keep you protected as you work
Get visibility, control and savings with supply chain solutions including EZ-GAZ™ digital gas monitoring service so you always know how much gas you have and are alerted when you need more
Find out more about how we support additive manufacturing
Additive Manufacturing
Produce fixtures, prototypes and components that meet strict quality standards by leveraging our additive manufacturing expertise.
Download the Brochure
Heat Treatment Solutions
See how we can help you improve the mechanical properties and machinability of new materials with our heat treatment solutions.
Download the Brochure
ECO ORIGIN™
There’s a simple way to reduce your environmental impact — with certified low-carbon bulk liquid argon and nitrogen.
Download the Brochure
EZ-GAZ
Discover how EZ-GAZ can help you optimize and monitor your gas supply so you reduce the risks of wasted gas and runouts.
Download the Brochure
Talk to an expert about your gases, hardgoods and safety needs.
