scholarly journals Effect of Particle Size Distribution on Laser Powder Bed Fusion Manufacturability of Copper

Author(s):  
Massimiliano Bonesso ◽  
Pietro Rebesan ◽  
Claudio Gennari ◽  
Simone Mancin ◽  
Razvan Dima ◽  
...  

AbstractOne of the major benefits of the Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technology is the possibility of fabrication of complex geometries and features in only one-step of production. In the case of heat exchangers in particular, this is very convenient for the fabrication of conformal cooling channels which can improve the performance of the heat transfer capability. Yet, obtaining dense copper parts printed via LPBF presents two major problems: the high reflectivity of 1 μm (the wavelength of commonly used laser sources) and the high thermal conductivity of copper that limits the maximum local temperature that can be attained. This leads to the formation of porous parts.In this contribution, the influence of the particle size distribution of the powder on the physical and mechanical properties of parts produced via LPBF is studied. Three copper powders lots with different particle size distributions are used in this study. The effect on densification from two laser scan parameters (scan speed and hatching distance) and the influence of contours scans on the lateral surface roughness is reported. Subsequently, samples manufactured with the optimal process parameters are tested for thermal and mechanical properties evaluation.

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1538
Author(s):  
Konrad Gruber ◽  
Irina Smolina ◽  
Marcin Kasprowicz ◽  
Tomasz Kurzynowski

In this paper, a detailed assessment of Inconel 718 powder, with varying degrees of degradation due to repeated use in the Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) process, has been undertaken. Four states of IN718 powder (virgin, used, overflow and spatter) were characterized in terms of their morphology, flowability and physico-chemical properties. Studies showed that used and overflow powders were almost identical. The fine particle-size distribution of the virgin powder, in which 50% of particles were found to be below the nominal particle-size distribution (PSD), was recognized as the main reason for its lower flowability and the main cause of the differentiation between virgin, used and overflow powders. Only spatter powder was found to be degraded enough to preclude its direct LPBF reuse. The oxygen content in the spatter powder exceeded the limit value for IN718 by 290 ppm, and aluminum oxide spots were found on the spatter particles surfaces. Laser absorption analysis showed 10 pp higher laser absorption compared to the other powders. The results of evaluation showed that IN718 powder is resistant to multiple uses in the LPBF process. Due to the low degradation rate of IN718 powder, overflow powder can be re-enabled for multiple uses with a proper recycling strategy.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 611-620
Author(s):  
H.O. Sirenko ◽  
L.M. Soltys ◽  
V.P. Svidersky ◽  
I.V. Sulyma

The resultsof studies of the effect of nature and parameters of particle size distribution of graphite on physical and mechanical properties of polymer composites based on aromatic polyamide fenіlon C-2. The particle size of the filler and polymer for the theoretical gamma-distribution parameters (perimeter, thickness and diameter) have different values. Found the influence of fillers (natural graphite different bands), which differed ash content (5-15% and 0,05-2,5%), moisture and grinding fineness (dispersion) on the wear resistance of the samples of the polymer composite. There is non-linear connectionbetween the intensity and parameters graphite particles distribution.


Metals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1763
Author(s):  
Nthateng Nkhasi ◽  
Willie du Preez ◽  
Hertzog Bissett

Metal powders suitable for use in powder bed additive manufacturing processes should ideally be spherical, dense, chemically pure and of a specified particle size distribution. Ti6Al4V is commonly used in the aerospace, medical and automotive industries due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent corrosion resistance properties. Interstitial impurities in titanium alloys have an impact upon mechanical properties, particularly oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and carbon. The plasma spheroidisation process can be used to spheroidise metal powder consisting of irregularly shaped particles. In this study, the plasma spheroidisation of metal powder was performed on Ti6Al4V powder consisting of irregularly shaped particles. The properties of the powder relevant for powder bed fusion that were determined included the particle size distribution, morphology, particle porosity and chemical composition. Conclusions were drawn regarding the viability of using this process to produce powder suitable for additive manufacturing.


Metals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1700
Author(s):  
Ryan Harkin ◽  
Hao Wu ◽  
Sagar Nikam ◽  
Justin Quinn ◽  
Shaun McFadden

Titanium alloy powder used for laser-based powder bed fusion (L-PBF) process is costly. One of the solutions is the inclusion of a powder recycling strategy, allowing unused or exposed powder particles to be recuperated post manufacture, replenished and used for future builds. However, during a L-PBF process, powder particles are exposed to high levels of concentrated energy from the laser. Particularly those in close proximity to the melt pool, leading to the formation of spatter and agglomerated particles. These particles can settle onto the powder bed, which can then influence the particle size distribution and layer uniformity. This study analysed extra-low interstitial (ELI) Ti6Al4V (Grade 23) powder when subjected to nine recycle iterations, tracking powder property variation across the successive recycling stages. Characterisation included chemical composition focusing upon O, N, and H content, particle size distribution, morphology and tapped and bulk densities. On review of the compositional analysis, the oxygen content exceeded the 0.13% limit for the ELI grade after 8 recycles, resulting in the degradation from Grade 23 level.


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