• By Admin
• Dec 12, 2025

Certification and Qualification in Additive Manufacturing: What You Need to Know 

Qualification and certification in additive manufacturing (AM) refer to the processes involved in ensuring that parts produced using AM technologies meet specific standards, requirements, and regulations. These processes are crucial for guaranteeing the quality, reliability, and safety of AM parts across various industries.

Here’s an overview of qualifications and certifications for additive manufacturing:

Material Qualification:

One of the critical aspects of AM qualification is the qualification of materials used in the additive manufacturing process. This involves testing the material properties, such as mechanical strength, thermal behaviour, chemical composition, and microstructure,  to ensure they meet the required specifications for the intended application.

Process Qualification:

Process qualification involves validating the additive manufacturing process itself to ensure consistent and reproducible production of parts. This includes assessing parameters such as layer thickness, laser power, scanning speed, and build orientation to optimize part quality and performance.

Part Qualification:

Part qualification involves evaluating the manufactured parts to ensure they meet the desired dimensional accuracy, surface finish, mechanical properties, and functional requirements. This may involve a combination of non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, such as CT scanning, ultrasonic testing, and visual inspection, along with mechanical testing methods like tensile testing, hardness testing, and fatigue testing.

Certification Standards and Regulations:

Additive manufacturing certification often involves complying with industry-specific standards and regulations, such as those set by organizations like ASTM International, ISO (International Organization for Standardization), FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and others. AS9100 Rev D is an aerospace standard (AS). These standards define requirements for material properties, process controls, testing procedures, and documentation for AM parts.

Qualification Testing and Documentation:

Qualification testing involves conducting a series of tests and evaluations to verify that AM parts meet the specified requirements. This may include both destructive and non-destructive testing methods to assess various aspects of part quality and performance. Additionally, comprehensive documentation of the qualification process, including test results, procedures, and traceability records, is essential for regulatory compliance and quality assurance.

Supplier Qualification:

In some industries, such as aerospace and defense, qualification extends beyond the parts themselves to include the qualification of AM suppliers and service providers. This involves evaluating the capabilities, processes, and quality management systems of AM facilities to ensure they can consistently produce parts that meet the required standards and specifications.

Lifecycle Considerations:

Qualification and certification in additive manufacturing also encompass considerations throughout the entire lifecycle of the part, including design, production, post-processing, and in-service use. It’s essential to address factors such as material degradation, environmental conditions, and long-term performance to ensure the reliability and durability of AM parts over time.

Overall, qualification and certification play a vital role in establishing confidence in additive manufacturing technologies and enabling their adoption across various industries. By ensuring that AM parts meet stringent quality and regulatory requirements, qualification processes facilitate the widespread use of AM for producing high-quality, functional components with applications ranging from aerospace and automotive to healthcare and consumer products.