Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to powder spreading and an apparatus therefor. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus having a flexible core and a shell on a surface of the core is used to displace powder in a powder bed. The shell has a low coefficient of friction, for example on the order of 0.10, and may operate to conduct static electricity away from the powder. The shell may be engaged with the powder to displace the powder and form a uniform powder layer having a planer upper surface, as the core is advanced across the powder bed.