New Trends of Powder Engineering and Additive Manufacturing (Editorial Board Members' Collection Series)

The production of metal alloys and compounds in powder form has traditionally been linked to techniques such as gas atomization or mechanical alloying. For the manufacture of bulk pieces and components, powder metallurgy routes based on the pressing and sintering of powders have been used. In recent decades, additive manufacturing techniques appeared as an alternative to produce parts with complex geometry and reduce the loss of material. The integration of powder engineering and additive manufacturing has driven the development of advanced materials and more efficient processes. Designing powders with controlled characteristics allows for improved repeatability, reduced defects, and expanded additive manufacturing applications (in demanding industries such as aerospace, automotive, and biomedical). Together, both disciplines allow for optimization from the raw material to the final product, enhancing manufacturing innovation.