In AM processes, the composition and quality of the raw materials are of paramount importance because of their impact on processing operations, finished products, and overall economics of processing. Raw material selection for AM is not trivial and it involves consideration of numerous variables. The complexity of the metal AM process includes non-linear non-equilibrium reactions, rapid solidification/cooling rates, and numerous metal powder characteristics such as particle size and shape, apparent density, flowability, thermal conductivity, surface impurities, porosity, etc).