The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has successfully produced 316L stainless-steel powder using a recently commissioned ultrasonic atomiser machine, co-funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI). This machine produces high-quality powders that have the required particle size, flowability and density for use in additive manufacturing (AM), specifically for powder bed fusion techniques. Currently, South Africa depends on imports to access powders of this quality.

The ultrasonic atomiser machine is designed to make various metal powders from both reactive and nonreactive materials. Utilising this capability, the CSIR is positioned to provide, at a pilot scale, 316L stainless-steel powder to the South African market. The powder production process involves meticulous characterisation using advanced analytical methods to ensure consistency in particle size distribution, flowability and packing density.