Inert
Inert

Copyright 1981 – 2024, Inert.
The Inert logo is a registered trademark of Inert Corporation.

powder handling and containment

For optimal lifecycle performance, manage powders in a hermetic, inert, and moisture-free environment

As a consolidated mass of smaller particles, rather than a single homogeneous item, powder has no protection from contamination. The permeability of gas and vapors must be taken into consideration when using metal powders, as the powder mass is porous and requires particular handling equipment and atmospheric conditions.

Inert’s metal powder handling and containment equipment is built for your safety and ease of use. It starts with our commitment to excellence in service and design and runs through our component selection decisions, assembly, and quality assurance measures, which makes your additive manufacturing process better than ever.

With an inert working environment, additive manufacturers can reclaim costly metal powders for reuse and rest assured that the process is safe.

Companies working with metal powders face real-world hurdles such as contamination in the working environments, as well as contamination by the actual process. This degrades the overall quality of the powder which leads to poor quality of the finished product.

Metal powder handling and containment using Inert solutions will eliminate these obstacles, for optimal results.

PowderShield

Inert’s PowderShieldis designed to benefit the post-build additive manufacturing process by safely collecting excess metal powders from printed parts for reuse, in effect saving money and waste.

This depowdering procedure is conducted within an argon atmosphere controlled by Inert’s Argon Gas Management System to avoid contamination from oxygen, moisture, dust, or organic matter – any of which could render metal powders useless, or require costly tracing and removal. Features include rotating tilt table, argon blow off gun, ultrasonic vibration, unidirectional flow, perforated floor for powder collection, and other customizations. PowderShield is easily integrated with automated sieves, powder hoppers, and other third part equipment to create unique, closed loop post processing systems.

Keeping airborne powder particulate within Inert’s controlled atmosphere also eliminates user health risks, damage to area electronics, and fire hazards related to the combustibility of titanium powders.

Download the PowderShield brochure

 

Powder Filtration Systems

Inert’s Powder Filtration Systems can be purchased as standalone tools for retrofitting to third party systems in the field, or integrated into Inert’s
PowderShield enclosures in a closed-loop inert gas system for safe powder and soot collection and disposal. The line of Powder Filtration
Systems can be used with many additive manufacturing applications that require particulate collection.

The PF Systems are electrically grounded to ensure that all reactive powders are contained without a spark or ignition. Disposal of spent
powders is made easy and safe through passivation of the particulate, preventing accidental combustion. 

Download the PF Systems brochure

Powder Handling Options

Inert integrates curing ovens, powder traps, powder sieves, and powder storage into hermetic glovebox  enclosures to facilitate 3D printing with metal powders. We know that plastic containers for metal powders are not the best solution for storing corrosive and costly powders, which is why we offer stainless steel storage reservoirs to customers who need optimal powder storage options.

Reclaiming and recycling inert gases is our specialty, and powders are no different. Get the most out of your titanium with powder traps engineered to save your time and money. 

We design custom antechambers for easy transfer of powders to and from your enclosure  interiors, designed for smooth workflow and accessibility.

Inert solutions for better parts and better health

The benefit of a hermetic process is that it forms a barrier between the powder and the environment around the powder, reducing contamination of the powders and increasing safety to the operators. Powder particles from 100µ to 10µ in size can have moderate hazardous effects the respiratory system, but are neatly contained within the enclosure.

Lower moisture conditions when using a dry or inert box results in enhanced powder flow and reduced residual stress, as moisture releases hydrogen leading to hydrogen embrittlement.

Let us know your unique needs