From Powder Metallurgy to Powder Bed Fusion: An Analysis of AM for Tungsten

Powder metallurgy has been the default manufacturing route for tungsten because of its scalability and process maturity. However, it carries fundamental constraints such as long lead times tied to tooling, multiple required processing steps and susceptibility to internal defects that limit design flexibility and performance in demanding applications.

Electron beam powder bed fusion, or EB-PBF, offers an alternative route for manufacturing pure and alloyed tungsten parts. By processing tungsten layer by layer in a vacuum at elevated temperatures, EB-PBF avoids the oxidation, cracking and porosity mechanisms that complicate conventional tungsten manufacturing. By manufacturing with EB-PBF, tungsten parts can be made for high-density, high-temperature applications such as hypersonics, kinetic penetrators and radiation shielding.

The webinar will provide a comparison of both processes, covering mechanical and material properties, design considerations and end-to-end manufacturing workflow. Attendees will leave with a framework for evaluating which route fits their application requirements.

Agenda

• Powder metallurgy process for tungsten: Where it works well and what fundamental constraints limit part performance and design flexibility.
• Electron beam powder bed fusion for tungsten: How a tungsten 3D printing process addresses challenges in cracking, oxidation and internal defects that have made tungsten manufacturing difficult.
• Side-by-side comparative analysis: An evaluation of both manufacturing processes and which applications are most suitable for powder metallurgy versus EB-PBF.