Structured powder particles for feedstock improvement for laser based additive manufacturing
A process comprising providing a metallic first powder having a plurality of first particles. The process includes adding a second material to the first powder, the second material having a plurality of second particles. The process includes combining the first powder with the second material to form a modified powder including modified powder particles having an interior portion containing an interior composition, and an outer surface portion with an outer composition different from the interior composition.
1. A process comprising:
providing a metallic first powder having a plurality of first particles;
adding a second material to the first powder, the second material having a plurality of second particles;
coating the first powder with the second material to form a modified powder including modified powder particles having an interior portion containing an interior composition, and an outer surface portion with an outer composition different from the interior composition;
wherein said outer surface portion comprises a continuous coating;
melting said modified powder during an additive build, dissolving said outer composition into a melt pool; and
mixing said outer composition into said interior composition.
2. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising:
forming an additional layer over said second material after adding said second material and before the coating step of claim 1 , said additional layer having a composition different from the interior composition.
3. The process according to claim 2 , wherein said interior portion containing the interior composition is a major constituent of an end alloy formed after said additive build and utilized in a near-net shape component.