Influence of energy density on polyamide 12 processed by SLS: from physical and mechanical properties to microstructural and crystallization evolution

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiago Czelusniak ◽  
Fred Lacerda Amorim
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Laser Energy ◽  
Polymer Degradation ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Polyamide 12 ◽  
Line Spacing ◽  
Scan Line

Purpose This paper aims to provide a detailed study on influence of the laser energy density on mechanical, surface and dimensional properties of polyamide 12 (PA12) parts produced by selective laser sintering (SLS), providing the microstructural and crystallization evolution of the samples produced at different energy densities. Design/methodology/approach Making use of a space filling design of experiments, a wide range of laser sintering parameters is covered. Surface morphology is assessed by means of profile measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Mechanical testing, SEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to assess the influence of energy density on structural and mechanical properties. Findings Results show a high dependency of the properties on the laser energy density and also a compromise existing between laser exposure parameters and desired properties of laser sintered parts. Surface roughness could be associated to overlap degree when using higher scan line spacing values and lower laser speeds improved surface roughness when high scan line spacing is used. Higher mechanical properties were found at higher energy density levels, but excessively high energy density decreased mechanical properties. A transition from brittle to ductile fracture with increasing energy density could be clearly observed by mechanical analysis and SEM. XRD and DSC measurements show a decrease on the crystal fraction with increasing energy densities, which corroborated the plastic behavior observed, and FTIR measurements revealed polymer degradation through chain scission might occur at too high energy densities. Originality/value Valuable guidelines are given regarding energy density optimization for SLS of PA12 considering not only quality criteria but also microstructure characteristics. Surface properties are studied based on the concept of degree of overlap between laser scanning lines. For the first time, crystallization behavior of SLS PA12 parts produced at different energy levels was studied by means of XRD measurements. Polymer degradation of SLS PA12 parts was evaluated with FTIR, which is a non-destructive and easy test to be conducted.

Study on the selective laser sintering of a low-isotacticity polypropylene powder

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhu ◽  
Chunze Yan ◽  
Yunsong Shi ◽  
Shifeng Wen ◽  
Changjun Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Laser Energy ◽  
Selective Laser Sintering ◽  
Laser Energy Density ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Crystalline Polymers ◽  
Polyamide 12 ◽  
Degradation Temperature

Purpose Semi-crystalline polymers such as polyamide-12 can be used for selective laser sintering (SLS) to make near-fully dense plastic parts. At present, however, the types of semi-crystalline polymers suitable for SLS are critically limited. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the processibility of a new kind of semi-crystalline polypropylene (PP) with low isotacticity for SLS process. Design/methodology/approach The SLS processibility of the PP powder, including particle size and shape, sintering window, degree of crystallinity and degradation temperature, was evaluated. Effects of the applied laser energy density on the surface micromorphology, density, tensile strength and thermal properties of SLS-built PP specimens were studied. Findings The results show that the PP powder has a nearly spherical shape, smooth surfaces, an appropriate average particle size of 63.6 μm, a broad sintering window of 21 oC and low crystalline degree of 30.4 per cent comparable to that of polyamide-12, a high degradation temperature of 381.8°C and low part bed temperature of 105°C, indicating a very good SLS processibility. The density and the tensile strength first increase with increasing laser energy density until they reach the maximum values of 0.831 g/cm3 and 19.9 MPa, respectively, at the laser energy density of 0.0458 J/mm2, and then decrease when the applied laser energy density continue to increase owing to the degradation of PP powders. The complex PP components have been manufactured by SLS using the optimum parameters, which are strong enough to be directly used as functional parts. Originality/value This paper provides a new knowledge for this field that low-isotacticity PPs exhibit good SLS processibility, therefore increasing material types and broadening the application of SLS technology.

Theoretical and experimental study on surface roughness of 316L stainless steel metal parts obtained through selective laser melting

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 706-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Di Wang ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Yongqiang Yang ◽  
Dongming Xiao
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Surface Quality ◽  
Theoretical Foundation ◽  
Laser Energy ◽  
Melting Zone ◽  
Laser Energy Density ◽  
Single Track ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical foundation for improving the selective laser melting (SLM) surface roughness. To improve the part’s surface quality during SLM process, the upper surface roughness of SLM parts was theoretically studied and the influencing factors were analyzed through experiments. Design/methodology/approach The characteristics of single track were first investigated, and based on the analysis of single track, theoretical value of the upper surface roughness would be calculated. Two groups of cubic sample were fabricated to validate SLM parts’ surface roughness, the Ra and relative density of all the cubic parts was measured, and the difference between theoretical calculation and experiment results was studied. Then, the effect of laser energy density on surface roughness was studied. At last, the SLM part’s surface was improved by laser re-melting method. At the end of this paper, the curved surface roughness was discussed briefly. Findings The SLM upper surface roughness is affected by the width of track, scan space and the thickness of powder layer. Measured surface roughness Ra value was about 50 per cent greater than the theoretical value. The laser energy density has a great influence on the SLM fabrication quality. Different laser energy density corresponds to different fabricating characteristics. This study divided the SLM fabrication into not completely melting zone, balling zone in low energy density, successfully fabricating zone and excessive melting zone. The laser surface re-melting (LSR) process can improve the surface roughness of SLM parts greatly without considering the fabricating time and stress accumulation. Originality/value The upper surface roughness of SLM parts was theoretically studied, and the influencing factors were analyzed together; also, the LSR process was proven to be effective to improve the surface quality. This study provides a theoretical foundation to improve the surface quality of SLM parts to promote the popularization and application of metal additive manufacturing technology.

Orthotropic properties of cement-filled polyamide 12 manufactured by selective laser sintering

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1103-1112
Author(s):  
Saleh Ahmed Aldahash ◽  
Abdelrasoul M. Gadelmoula
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Laser Energy ◽  
Flexural Modulus ◽  
Selective Laser Sintering ◽  
Scanning Speed ◽  
Laser Sintering ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Build Orientation ◽  
Polyamide 12 ◽  
Fabrication Parameters

Purpose The cement-filled PA12 manufactured by selective laser sintering (SLS) offers desirable mechanical properties; however, these properties are dependent on several fabrication parameters. As a result, SLS prototypes may exhibit orthotropic mechanical properties unless properly oriented in build chamber. This paper aims to evaluate the effects of part build orientation, laser energy and cement content on mechanical properties of cement-filled PA12. Design/methodology/approach The test specimens were fabricated by SLS using the “DTM Sinterstation 2000” system at which the specimens were aligned along six different orientations. The scanning speed was 914mm/s, scan spacing was 0.15mm, layer thickness was 0.1mm and laser power was 4.5–8Watt. A total of 270 tensile specimens, 270 flexural specimens and 135 compression specimens were manufactured and the tensile, compression and flexural properties of fabricated specimens were evaluated. Findings The experiments revealed orientation-dependent (orthotropic) mechanical properties of SLS cement-filled PA12 and confirmed that the parts with shorter scan vectors have enhanced flexural strength as compared with longer scan vectors. The maximum deviations of ultimate tensile strength, compressive strength and flexural modulus along the six orientations were 32%, 26% and 36%, respectively. Originality/value Although part build orientation is a key fabrication parameter, very little was found in open literature with contradictory findings about its effect on mechanical properties of fabricated parts. In this work, the effects of build orientation when combined with other fabrication parameters on the properties of SLS parts were evaluated along six different orientations.

Microstructure and mechanical property of selective laser melted Ti6Al4V dependence on laser energy density

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Han ◽  
Jingjing Yang ◽  
Hanchen Yu ◽  
Jie Yin ◽  
Ming Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Laser Energy ◽  
Ti6al4v Alloy ◽  
Laser Energy Density ◽  
Future Application ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Processing Window ◽  
Columnar Grains ◽  
Columnar Grain

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the influence of laser energy density on microstructure and mechanical properties of the selective laser melted (SLMed) Ti6Al4V to complement the existing knowledge in additive manufacturing of Ti6Al4V for future application of selective laser melting (SLM) in fabricating Ti6Al4V parts. Design/methodology/approach Ti6Al4V alloy is fabricated by SLM by adopting various energy densities. Microstructures and mechanical properties of the Ti6Al4V deposited using different energy densities are characterized. Findings Both high relative densities and microhardness can be obtained in the optimized processing window. The decrease of martensite width and spacing can improve the microhardness on both XOY and XOZ sections when the applied EV (defined as the laser energy per unit volume) increases. The width of the columnar grain increases with EV, resulting in a stronger anisotropy in microhardness between XOY and XOZ sections. Residual tensile stresses exist in the SLMed Ti6Al4V and increase with an increasing EV. A tensile strength of 1,268 MPa, a yield strength of 1,030 MPa, and an elongation of 4% can be obtained by using the optimized range of EV. Originality/value The microstructure of SLMed Ti6Al4V is quantitatively analysed by measuring the size of columnar grains and the martensites. The anisotropy of microstructures and properties in SLMed Ti6Al4V is characterized and its dependence on laser energy density is established. The residual stress in SLMed Ti6Al4V is characterized and its dependence on laser energy density is established. An optimized processing window to deposit Ti6Al4V alloy by SLM is proposed.

Study in performance and morphology of polyamide 12 produced by selective laser sintering technology

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 813-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junjie Wu ◽  
Xiang Xu ◽  
Zhihao Zhao ◽  
Minjie Wang ◽  
Jie Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Selective Laser Sintering ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Chain Scission ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Laser Sintering ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Polyamide 12

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of selective laser sintering (SLS) method on morphology and performance of polyamide 12. Design/methodology/approach Crystallization behavior is critical to the properties of semi-crystalline polymers. The crystallization condition of SLS process is much different from others. The morphology of polyamide 12 produced by SLS technology was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, polarized light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. Findings Too low fill laser power brought about bad fusion of powders, while too high energy input resulted in bad performance due to chain scission of macromolecules. There were three types of crystal in the raw powder material, denoted as overgrowth crystal, ring-banded spherulite and normal spherulite. Originality/value In this work, SLS samples with different sintering parameters, as well as compression molding sample for the purpose of comparison, were made to study the morphology and crystal structure of sintered PA12 in detail.

Fundamentals of radiation heat transfer in AlSi10Mg powder bed during selective laser melting

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1506-1515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei Wei ◽  
Zhengying Wei ◽  
Zhne Chen ◽  
Jun Du ◽  
Yuyang He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Laser Energy ◽  
Melting Process ◽  
Laser Energy Density ◽  
Granular System ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Powder Bed

Purpose This paper aims to study numerically the influence of the applied laser energy density and the porosity of the powder bed on the thermal behavior of the melt and the resultant instability of the liquid track. Design/methodology/approach A three-dimensional model was proposed to predict local powder melting process. The model accounts for heat transfer, melting, solidification and evaporation in granular system at particle scale. The proposed model has been proved to be a good approach for the simulation of the laser melting process. Findings The results shows that the applied laser energy density has a significantly influence on the shape of the molten pool and the local thermal properties. The relative low or high input laser energy density has the main negative impact on the stability of the scan track. Decreasing the porosity of the powder bed lowers the heat dissipation in the downward direction, resulting in a shallower melt pool, whereas pushing results in improvement in liquid track quality. Originality/value The randomly packed powder bed is calculated using discrete element method. The powder particle information including particle size distribution and packing density is taken into account in placement of individual particles. The effect of volumetric shrinkage and evaporation is considered in numerical model.

Tribology study of hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffold blended single based binder via rheology and mechanical properties

2017 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 414-419
Author(s):  
Mimi Azlina Abu Bakar ◽  
Siti Norazlini Abd Aziz ◽  
Muhammad Hussain Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Injection Molding ◽  
Palm Stearin ◽  
Polymeric Materials ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Single Step ◽  
Injection Molding Process ◽  
Plastic Behavior ◽  
Molding Process ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the vital characteristic of an innovative ceramic injection molding (CIM) process for orthopedic application with controlled porosity and improved tribological and mechanical properties which were affected by complex tribological interactions, whether lubricated like hip implants and other artificial prostheses. The main objective is to maximize the usage of palm stearin as a single based binder as the function of flow properties during injection molding process. Design/methodology/approach The binder used in this present study consists of 100 per cent palm stearin manufactured by Kempas Oil Sdn Bhd and supplied by Vistec Technology Sdn Bhd. The feedstock was prepared by using a Z-blade mixer (Thermo Haake Rheomix OS) and Brabender mixer model R2400. The feedstock prepared was injection molded using a manually operated vertical benchtop machine with an average pressure of about 5-7 bars. The firing step included the temporary holds at intermediate temperatures to burn out organic binders. At this stage, the green molded specimen was de-bound using a single-step wick-debinding method. Findings The maximum content of ceramic material is applied to investigate the efficiencies of net formulation that can be achieved by ceramic materials. The longer the viscosity will change with shear rate, the higher the value of n obtained instead. From the slope of the curves obtained in Figure 3, the value of n for the feedstock was determined to be less than 1, which indicates a pseudoplastic behavior and suitability for the molding process. Moreover, high shear sensitivity is important in producing complex and intrinsic specimens which are leading products in the CIM industry. Originality/value The feedstock containing HAp powder and palm stearin binder was successfully prepared at very low temperature of 70°C, which promoting a required pseudo-plastic behavior during rheological test. The single binder palm stearin should be optimized in other research works carried out, as palm stearin is most preferred compared to other polymeric materials that provided high energy consumption when subjected to the sintering process. Besides the binder is widely available in Malaysia, low cost and harmless effect during debinding process.

scholarly journals A processing diagram for high-density Ti-6Al-4V by selective laser melting

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1469-1478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinmin (Morris) Wang ◽  
Chandrika Kamath ◽  
Thomas Voisin ◽  
Zan Li
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Processing Parameters ◽  
High Density ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Laser Powder Bed Fusion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Powder Bed ◽  
Melt Pool ◽  
Hatch Spacing

Purpose Density optimization is the first critical step in building additively manufactured parts with high-quality and good mechanical properties. The authors developed an approach that combines simulations and experiments to identify processing parameters for high-density Ti-6Al-4V using the laser powder-bed-fusion technique. A processing diagram based on the normalized energy density concept is constructed, illustrating an optimized processing window for high- or low-density samples. Excellent mechanical properties are obtained for Ti-6Al-4V samples built from the optimized window. Design/methodology/approach The authors use simple, but approximate, simulations and selective experiments to design parameters for a limited set of single track experiments. The resulting melt-pool characteristics are then used to identify processing parameters for high-density pillars. A processing diagram is built and excellent mechanical properties are achieved in samples built from this window. Findings The authors find that the laser linear input energy has a much stronger effect on the melt-pool depth than the melt-pool width. A processing diagram based on normalized energy density and normalized hatch spacing was constructed, qualitatively indicating that high-density samples are produced in a region when 1 < E* < 2. The onset of void formation and low-density samples occur as E* moves beyond a value of 2. The as-built SLM Ti-6Al-4V shows excellent mechanical performance. Originality/value A combined approach of computer simulations and selected experiments is applied to optimize the density of Ti-6Al-4V, via laser powder-bed-fusion (L-PBF) technique. A series of high-density samples are achieved. Some special issues are identified for L-PBF processes of Ti-6Al-4V, including the powder particle sticking and part swelling issues. A processing diagram is constructed for Ti-6Al-4V, based on the normalized energy density and normalized hatch spacing concept. The diagram illustrates windows with high- and low-density samples. Good mechanical properties are achieved during tensile tests of near fully dense Ti-6Al-4V samples. These good properties are attributed to the success of density optimization processes.

Effect of Temperature on the Evolved Microstructure During Laser Beam Forming of Sheet Steels

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Akinlabi ◽  
Madindwa Mashinini ◽  
Esther Akinlabi
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Laser Beam ◽  
Laser Energy ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Phase Changes ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Beam Forming ◽  
Heating And Cooling

Laser Beam Forming (LBF) being a novel technique and non-contact manufacturing process, employs laser beam as the tool of shaping and bending metal sheets into different shapes and curvatures for various applications. LBF is a high-temperature process, where rapid heating and cooling occurs causing microstructural changes like dynamic recrystallization and phase changes. The study becomes necessary to ensure that the structural integrity of the processed material is not compromised. Hence, the investigation focuses on the effect of temperature on the developed microstructure during the LBF process. The design of experiment was considered, using three levels and five factors. The experimentally measured curvatures were validated with the predicted measured curvatures, which were found to be in agreement. The result shows that the developed ferrite and pearlite grains were due to the heating and cooling. Furthermore, the average grain sizes at a low energy density of about 355°C and high energy density of about 747°C were found to be about 10 μm and 6 μm respectively. It is implied that the high temperature from the high laser energy aided the deformation of the grains significantly. However, such high temperature must be closely monitored so to avoid metallurgical notches in the processed component.

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