FT4 Powder Rheometer Supports Metal Processing Industries
Powders play an integral part in the production of many products and it is widely acknowledged that they are challenging to handle. It is therefore vital for engineers and processors to have a good understanding of powder behaviour in order to optimise productivity and improve quality. This is particularly applicable in powder metallurgy, where the flowability of metal powders is crucial to efficiency, including enhancing performance of additive manufacturing (AM) processes.
Many AM processes require layers of powder to be built up which are then selectively fused together. The way in which a powder behaves in the process is critical for achieving high levels of efficiency and productivity as well as maintaining quality attributes of the final product. However, variability in feedstocks can lead to inconsistent bulk density, non-uniform layering, low tensile strength and poor surface finish.
Freeman Technology have worked with a wide range of industrial partners over the last 15 years and in 2017, became a contributor to ASM International. ASM, the world’s largest materials information society, recently adopted the FT4 Powder Rheometer® for metal powder testing. The organisation connects a global network of members, facilitating the transfer of content, data, and research.
Additionally, ASM offers a variety of educational training courses including topics such as AM. ASM also incorporate dynamic powder testing within its courses to further educate industrial users. Both organisations are confident that this collaboration will support greater use of the FT4 to improve the manufacture and use of metal powders across a range of industries.
For more information about the range of products offered by Freeman Technology please visit www.powderflow.com.
For more information on the resources offered by ASM International please visit www.asminternational.org.
Freeman Technology and Powder Rheometer are registered trademarks of Freeman Technology Ltd.
Freeman Technology
- +44 (0)1684 851 551
- info@freemantech.co.uk
- https://www.freemantech.co.uk
- 1 Miller Court Severn Drive Tewkesbury Gloucestershire GL20 8DN GB
About us
Freeman Technology specialises in systems for measuring the flow properties of powders and has nearly 20 years' experience in powder flow and powder characterisation.
The company invests significantly in R&D and applications development, and provides detailed know-how to support its range of products. Expert teams guide and support users around the world in addressing their individual powder challenges, focusing on delivering the most relevant information for the process. The result is world-leading solutions for understanding powder behaviour - in development, formulation, scale-up, processing, quality control, or anywhere that powders have a role.
Freeman Technology’s solutions include the FT4 Powder Rheometer®, a uniquely universal powder tester, and the Uniaxial Powder Tester, a complementary tool for quick and robust powder assessment. Systems are installed around the world in the chemical, pharmaceutical, toners, foods, powder coatings, metals, ceramics, cosmetics, and many other industries. They deliver data that maximise process and product understanding, accelerating R&D and formulation towards successful commercialisation, and supporting the long term optimisation of powder processes.
Founded in 1989 as a developer of automated testing systems for materials characterisation, the company has focused exclusively on powders since the late 1990s and in 2018 became part of Micromeritics Instrument Corporation. The company’s R&D, manufacturing and commercial headquarters are in Gloucestershire, UK, with operations and distribution partners in key global territories. In 2007 the company received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation and in 2012 the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
Where we supply to
UK Ireland, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America
Industries we supply to
Chemicals, Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries
