Abstract: A metal powder-based manufacturing system is provided and comprises: a sealed vessel defining a manufacturing chamber; a metal transformation/conversion unit contained in the manufacturing chamber and configured to heat a metal-based feedstock for transformation/conversion; an inert gas source in gas communication with the manufacturing chamber to supply inert gas therein, the inert gas source being operatively connected to the manufacturing chamber through an inert gas line; and at least one gas purifying unit in gas communication with the manufacturing chamber to purify the inert gas to obtain a purified inert gas having an oxygen partial pressure below about 100 ppb. A process for transforming/converting metal in a purified inert gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A powder composition for use in additive manufacturing, related metal-based particles, related methods and related consolidated part. The composition consisting of metal-based particles and a remainder representing at most 10 wt % of a total weight of the composition, which can be at least one of a ceramic, a lubricant and a binder. The metal-based particles are highly spherical and can be considered fines-free. More particularly, less than 8,000,000 of the metal-based particles per gram of the metal-based particles have a diameter smaller than or equal to 15 ?m; and the metal-based particles have at least one of an average aspect ratio greater than or equal to 0.95; an average roundness greater than or equal to 0.95; and an average Krumbein sphericity greater than or equal to 0.95.