The short answer
On an SLM RFQ, **virgin-only powder** and **controlled reuse** are not the same quote package. Reuse rules change powder economics, chemistry risk notes, and sometimes build qualification language. Silence on reuse intent is what widens many [quote-new.php](https://3dwk.com/quote-new.php) **rates.v1.1** / powder estimate bands—not the bounding box alone.
This guide is for buyers packaging Ti-6Al-4V and AlSi10Mg SLM RFQs. Illustrations use an **Example part** only—not a customer flight fitting. Related AM notes live in [SLM build orientation notes for buyers](https://3dwk.com/resources/slm-build-orientation-notes-for-buyers), [SLM support removal and skim notes](https://3dwk.com/resources/slm-support-removal-and-skim-notes), and [Ti-6Al-4V CNC vs SLM cost and lead time](https://3dwk.com/resources/ti6al4v-cnc-vs-slm-cost-lead-time); here we focus on **how to label powder reuse expectations** so estimators do not guess.
What reuse notes mean for quoting
Shops track powder lots, blend ratios, and refresh schedules differently. “Aerospace virgin only” is a different planning band than “reuse OK per shop procedure with chemistry sampling.” Process pages for titanium and aluminum AM ([SLM Ti-6Al-4V aerospace](https://3dwk.com/en/slm/ti-6al-4v/aerospace.html), [SLM Ti-6Al-4V](https://3dwk.com/en/slm/ti-6al-4v.html), [SLM AlSi10Mg aerospace](https://3dwk.com/en/slm/alsi10mg/aerospace.html)) assume clear powder notes when RFQs mix flight-adjacent language with prototype envelopes.
Do not bury “use good powder” inside a notes cloud. Put **VIRGIN ONLY** or **REUSE OK (state blend / refresh limits if known)** on the RFQ and mirror any cert scope. Background: [DFM checklist before an online CNC quote](https://3dwk.com/resources/dfm-checklist-before-online-cnc-quote), [what files to send for a CNC quote](https://3dwk.com/resources/what-files-to-send-for-cnc-quote).
Powder $/kg, refresh and build risk
Powder cost and refresh policy move mid-band estimates more than many buyers expect. Soft polymer analogies (PA66 time coeff ×0.8 under CNC **rates.v1.1**) do not map cleanly to metal powder; treat SLM powder economics separately. Hot alloys and reactive titanium amplify handling notes; aggressive “flight cert + cheapest reused powder” asks frequently auto-route toward **needs_manual** when qualification language exceeds planning bands.
If you only need a form/fit prototype, say **reuse OK / no material cert**—do not imply PPAP-like powder pedigree you will not buy.
Bar/powder planning bands are estimates only and vary by alloy and market; never treat a web mid as an invoice.
Orientation, supports and powder notes together
Reuse policy does not replace orientation or support keep-outs. A virgin-powder ask with silent supports still widens bands. Related: [minimum wall CNC vs SLM for buyers](https://3dwk.com/resources/minimum-wall-cnc-vs-slm-for-buyers), [cobalt-chrome SLM vs CNC cost lead time](https://3dwk.com/resources/cobalt-chrome-slm-vs-cnc-cost-lead-time).
Tolerance and inspection traps
Demanding full chemistry + PSD + O2 on every refresh without saying sample frequency, or 100% CT of every lattice, widens QA bands. Default prototypes to visual + critical dims; put pedigree sampling only where the purchase order truly requires it. Related: [CMM sampling plans for CNC lots](https://3dwk.com/resources/cmm-sampling-plans-for-cnc-lots), [surface roughness Ra for machined parts](https://3dwk.com/resources/surface-roughness-ra-for-machined-parts).
Illustration 1 shows an **Example part** SLM map contrasting a virgin-only powder callout versus a controlled-reuse note with chemistry sampling frequency.
Example part walkthrough
**Example part:** Ti-6Al-4V bracket envelope ~90×60×35 mm, internal lattice, mating pads with skim stock, BUILD Z named, **REUSE OK — shop procedure; chemistry sample each refresh**. With STEP + clear powder / support / skim pack, expect a usable automatic planning band on [quote-new.php](https://3dwk.com/quote-new.php). Same geometry with “aerospace powder somehow” and silent reuse often lands DFM notes or **needs_manual**—without inventing any customer PO or flight cert.
Illustration 2 contrasts a vague RFQ (“good powder only”) versus a labeled virgin/reuse block and the clearer estimate path.
Traceability language buyers actually need
If you need heat/powder lot on the CoC, say so. If you only need alloy name and visual OK for a bench prototype, say that too. Mixed signals—“flight adjacent” plus “cheapest powder”—are what push SLM lines to **needs_manual**. Related medical-adjacent AM notes: [CoCr SLM medical-adjacent brackets DFM quotes](https://3dwk.com/resources/cocr-slm-medical-adjacent-brackets-dfm-quotes). Keep pedigree asks proportional to the purchase order so powder estimate bands stay honest under **rates.v1.1** planning.
What widens bands fastest
Flight language without virgin/reuse clarity, conflicting mill-cert asks on reused powder, silent support keep-outs next to powder rules, and 100% CT with no accept criteria. Quantity breaks help unit powder cost but do not erase qualification risk—see [how quantity breaks change CNC unit cost](https://3dwk.com/resources/how-quantity-breaks-change-cnc-unit-cost) and [what needs_manual means](https://3dwk.com/resources/what-needs-manual-means-preliminary-quote).
Hybrid CNC skim after SLM
When pads need CNC skim after print, powder reuse still belongs on the RFQ alongside skim stock—see [SLM support removal and skim notes](https://3dwk.com/resources/slm-support-removal-and-skim-notes)—so the hybrid plan is one package under **rates.v1.1** / powder estimates.
What to do next
Mark **VIRGIN ONLY** or **REUSE OK** (with any blend/refresh limits), attach orientation and support keep-outs, then upload on [quote-new.php](https://3dwk.com/quote-new.php). Service pages: [CNC machining](https://3dwk.com/cnc-machining-service.php), [materials](https://3dwk.com/materials.php). Treat **rates.v1.1** / powder min/mid/max as estimates, not invoices. If the UI shows **needs_manual**, answer the powder questions rather than forcing a fake firm price.
Common questions
Does virgin-only always raise the band?
Often yes versus controlled reuse under powder estimates—but only when the shop’s reuse procedure would otherwise apply. Prototypes that already use virgin stock may see little change.
Can I demand aerospace certs on reused powder?
Only if you truly buy that pedigree. Silent cert language next to “cheapest powder” commonly triggers **needs_manual**.
Do AlSi10Mg and Ti-6Al-4V share the same reuse rules?
No. Alloy-specific handling differs—name the alloy and reuse intent separately on each RFQ.
Should support removal notes still appear?
Yes. Powder reuse never replaces support/skim labeling—see [SLM support removal and skim notes](https://3dwk.com/resources/slm-support-removal-and-skim-notes).