Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as metal 3D printing, creates objects by addition of material, layer by layer. A major source material for AM is metal powder, which is predominantly produced using a technique called atomization, in which a molten metal stream is broken up into fine droplets using air or water jets. However, despite its widespread use, atomization returns poor yield, is expensive, and is inflexible in the types of materials it can handle. A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) led by Koushik Viswanathan, Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has identified an alternative technique to produce metal powders that side-steps these problems. This has interesting implications for AM processes in general, including areas such as the manufacture of biomedical implants.
source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/an-alternative-low-cost-technique-to-produce-metal-powders-for-3d-printing
