This article surveys common additive manufacturing (AM) data-acquisition methods, covering preprocess materials characterization in the lab, machine calibration in the field, in-process monitoring during a build, and the postprocess part inspections and tests. The focus is to identify acquisition-related metadata for AM data sets to improve data usability and reusability. Also included in the article are exemplar metadata definitions for a data set acquired from light-scattering-based particle size analysis.

Particle size and size distribution have a significant effect on the behavior of metal powders during their processing. This article provides an overview of the sample preparation process for particle size measurement, which is a key step in the measurement of particle size distributions. Common particle size measuring techniques discussed in this article include sieve analysis, quantitative image analysis, laser diffraction, sedimentation methods, aerodynamic time-of-flight method, electrical zone sensing, and photon correlation spectroscopy. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods are reviewed.

The raw materials used in thermal spray processes are a critical parameter in the finished coating because the variations in their size, morphology, chemistry, and phase composition can significantly impact coating properties. Therefore, it is important to test and characterize the raw materials. This article discusses various characterization methods for powders. Topics discussed include: methods for determining particle size and/or size distribution; powder and coating stoichiometry; particle chemistry; and phase analysis by x-ray diffraction. This article discusses the characterization of thermal spray powders which involves the determination of particle size and/or size distribution and phase analysis by x-ray diffraction. It provides information on preferential volatilization and rapid solidification that influence compositional differences. Wet chemical methods, spectographic analysis, and atomic absorption spectrometry are also discussed.

This article discusses the capabilities and limitations of various material characterization methods that assist in the selection of a proper analytical tool for analyzing particulate materials. Commonly used methods are microanalysis, surface analysis, and bulk analysis. The techniques used for performing microanalysis include scanning electron microscopy and electron probe X-ray microanalysis. The article describes surface analysis techniques, including Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ion-scattering spectroscopy. Bulk analysis techniques, such as X-ray powder diffraction, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and atomic fluorescence spectrometry, are also discussed.

This article is a compilation of terms and definitions related to materials characterization.

This article provides a detailed account of particle-induced x-ray emission (PIXE), covering the basic principles of PIXE analysis and calibration and quality-assurance protocols employed. A comparative study on PIXE and x-ray fluorescence is then presented. The article also discusses the applications of PIXE in atmospheric physics and chemistry, external proton milliprobes and historical analysis, and PIXE microprobes.

This article focuses on the modes of operation, physical basis, sample requirements, properties characterized, advantages, and limitations of the characterization methods used to evaluate the physical morphology and chemical properties of component surfaces for medical devices. These methods include light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy.

This article focuses on different aspects of wear particle analysis. It discusses the different wear regimes in the wear rate versus time (bathtub) curve. The article explains the essence of condition monitoring and how to properly sample lubricants for condition monitoring. It also discusses in-service lubricant analysis for condition monitoring, focusing on the spectrometric oil analysis program. The article describes the characteristics of wear particles and analytical techniques for characterizing them. It also describes the characteristics of different types of wear particles and the mechanisms by which they are generated. The article concludes with a summary of the major applications of wear particle analysis.

Particle-induced x-ray emission (PIXE) is one of several quantitative analyses based on characteristic x-rays. This article provides a detailed account on the principles of PIXE, discussing the data-reduction codes used to identify, integrate, and reduce x-ray peaks into elemental concentrations. It provides information on the calibration of PIXE analysis, which is mostly performed using gravimetric standards to avoid serious absorption, refluorescence, or ion energy change corrections. A comparative study on PIXE and x-ray fluorescence is also included. Finally, the article discusses the applications of PIXE in three areas, namely, atmospheric physics and chemistry, external proton milliprobes and historical analysis, and PIXE microprobes.

The characterization, testing, and nondestructive evaluation of ceramics and glasses are vital to manufacturing control, property improvement, failure prevention, and quality assurance. This article provides a broad overview of characterization methods and their relationship to property control, both in the production and use of ceramics and glasses. Important aspects covered include the means for characterizing ceramics and glasses, the corresponding rationale behind them, and relationship of chemistry, phases, and microconstituents to engineering properties. The article also describes the effects that the structure of raw ceramic materials and green products and processing parameters have on the ultimate structure and properties of the processed piece. The effects that trace chemistry and processing parameters have on glass properties are discussed. The article describes mechanical tests and failure analysis techniques used for ceramics.

This article is a compilation of definitions of terms related to materials characterization techniques.

Nondestructive testing (NDT), also known as nondestructive evaluation (NDE), includes various techniques to characterize materials without damage. This article focuses on the typical NDE techniques that may be considered when conducting a failure investigation. The article begins with discussion about the concept of the probability of detection (POD), on which the statistical reliability of crack detection is based. The coverage includes the various methods of surface inspection, including visual-examination tools, scanning technology in dimensional metrology, and the common methods of detecting surface discontinuities by magnetic-particle inspection, liquid penetrant inspection, and eddy-current testing. The major NDE methods for internal (volumetric) inspection in failure analysis also are described.

This article describes the various steps involved in image analysis, including sample selection and preparation, image preprocessing, measurement, and data analysis and output. It reviews various types of image analyzers and explains how operator bias and poor sample selection and preparation practices can lead to measurement error. It also examines several applications, illustrating how microstructural measurements can be used to assess quality control and better understand how processing changes affect microstructure and, in turn, material properties and behavior.

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) approach enables essentially simultaneous examination of microstructural features through imaging from lower magnifications to atomic resolution and the acquisition of chemical and crystallographic information from small regions of the thin specimen. This article discusses fundamentals of the technique, especially for solving materials problems. Background information is provided to help understand basic operations and principles, including instrumentation, the physics of signal generation and detection, image formation, electron diffraction, and spectrometry techniques with data analysis.

This article describes the characterization techniques, mechanical tests, and nondestructive evaluation methods that are commonly used for metal-matrix composites. It also tabulates typical methods of particle size and size distribution measurement, as well as mechanical test specifications for aluminum-matrix composites.

This article describes the methods of X-ray diffraction analysis, the types of information that can be obtained, and its interpretation. The discussion covers the basic theories of X-rays and various types of diffraction experiments, namely single-crystal methods for polychromatic and monochromatic beams, powder diffraction methods, and the Rietveld method.

Nondestructive inspection (NDI) methods for cast iron are used to ensure that the parts supplied perform as required by the purchaser. This article focuses on the principal nondestructive methods used to inspect for anomalies in cast irons and to determine if the volume, shape, size, or number of these anomalies exceeds the maximum allowed by the purchaser. The nondestructive methods include visual inspection, dimensional inspection, liquid penetrant inspection, magnetic-particle inspection, eddy-current inspection, radiographic inspection, ultrasonic inspection, resonant testing, and leak testing. The technique, strengths, and weaknesses of each of the nondestructive methods are also discussed.

Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) is a major materials characterization technique that can provide information in a short analysis time. It is used for quantitative compositional analysis of thin films, layered structures, or bulk materials and to measure surface impurities of heavy elements on substrates of lighter elements. This article focuses on RBS and its principles, such as collision kinematics, scattering cross section, and energy loss. It describes the channeling effect and the operation of the RBS equipment. The article also provides information on the applications of RBS.

This article provides a detailed account of the basic concepts of Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). It begins with a description of the principles of RBS, as well as the effect of channeling in conjunction with backscattering measurements and the effect of energy loss under this condition. This is followed by a section on equipment used in RBS analysis. Channel-energy conversion, energy-depth conversion, and separation of the dechanneling background are then discussed as the main steps of RBS data analysis. The article also discusses the applications of RBS—including composition of bulk samples, thin-film composition and layer thickness, impurity profiles, damage depth profile, and surface peak—as well as the various codes developed to simulate it.

Quality control of cemented carbides includes the evaluation of physical and chemical properties of constituent raw material powders, powder blends/formulations, green compacts, and fully dense finished product. This article provides a summary of the underlying principles and size ranges for the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard methods of particle sizing and distribution. It presents the methods used to analyze the chemical composition of cemented carbide materials in a tabular form. The article also presents information on microstructural evaluation and physical and mechanical property evaluation of cemented carbides.