A JSM-IT300 InTouchScope R scanning electron microscope (SEM) (Jeol, Tokio, Japan), combined with version 1.110 of the IT300 operation software (Jeol), was used to further assess powder bed characteristics. Particle samples were fixed onto a cylindrical mount with double-sided carbon tape and a gold layer was subsequently applied using a Q150R ES Rotary-Pumped Sputter Coater/ Carbon Coater (Quorum Technologies, Lewes, U.K.).
For powder resulting from the DoE formulations described in Section 3.7, an XL30 FEG SEM combined with Genesis 4.61 software (Philips, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) was used, sample preparation was similar to that of the JSM-IT300, except for a platinum layer applied instead of the gold layer.
For powder resulting from the DoE formulations described in Section 3.7, an XL30 FEG SEM combined with Genesis 4.61 software (Philips, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) was used, sample preparation was similar to that of the JSM-IT300, except for a platinum layer applied instead of the gold layer.