I'm interested in doing experiments with selective laser melting on stainless steel, but don't have a clear answer on if fine powdered stainless steel can burn. I assume if the sphere size is large enough it wouldn't. I've read that the super fine stuff, like 5 micron sphere size will be influenced a lot by electrical and magnetic issues. A more realistic 40 micron size doesn't have as many issues with that. I've found a place that does supply all sorts of fine metallic powders in literally hundreds of alloys, but they seem to put a blanket statement that any fine powder chemical may burn, so you pay the extra $100 for shipping any amount, even 200 grams. The MSDS for 3D Systems powdered stainless lists the flammability at 0 out of 4. I don't know if they are doing something different or not. I don't want to risk burning up my laser or paying hundreds of dollars on something that may not work at all. I know titanium and aluminum require an argon shield system, but I don't know about stainless steel. Anyone have any insight about this?