Selective laser melting (SLM) of pure gold for manufacturing dental crowns

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 471-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mushtaq Khan ◽  
Phill Dickens
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Surface Quality ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Processing Parameters ◽  
Pure Gold ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dental Crowns ◽  
Suitable Processing

Purpose – This paper aims to present the application aspect of the work to manufacturing premolar and molar dental crowns by selective laser melting (SLM) of pure gold. Over the years different metals have been processed using laser-based Additive Manufacturing processes, but very little work has been published on the SLM of gold (Au). Previously published work presented suitable processing parameters for SLM of pure gold. Design/methodology/approach – Suitable processing parameters were used to manufacture premolar and molar dental crowns using SLM system. Different layer thickness was used to analyse the effect on surface quality of crowns. Mechanical properties are checked using nanoindentation and micro Computerized Tomography scanning. Findings – Dental crowns were successfully manufacturing using new build platform and suitable processing parameters. Parts were manufacturing using minimal supports which prevented parts from damaging during removal. A bed temperature of 100°C was found suitable for reducing warpage in the layers. Layer thickness of 50μm was found to have better surface quality and structural integrity as compared to 75μm. Porosity was found to be predominantly inter-layer. Small difference in mechanical properties of dental crowns is associated with the laser processing. Originality/value – This research is the first of its kind which presents dental crown manufacturing using SLM of pure gold.

scholarly journals Effect of build orientation on the surface quality, microstructure and mechanical properties of selective laser melting 316L stainless steel

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamza Hassn Alsalla ◽  
Christopher Smith ◽  
Liang Hao
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Fracture Toughness ◽  
Surface Quality ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Process Parameters ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Microstructure And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Conventional Material

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the density, surface quality, microstructure and mechanical properties of the components of the selective laser melting (SLM) parts made at different building orientations. SLM is an additive manufacturing technique for three-dimensional parts. The process parameters are known to affect the properties of the eventual part. In this study, process parameters were investigated in the building of 316L structures at a variety of building orientations and for which the fracture toughness was measured. Design/methodology/approach Hardness and tensile tests were carried out to evaluate the effect of consolidation on the mechanical performance of specimens. Optical and electron microscopy were used to characterise the microstructure of the SLM specimens and their effects on properties relating to fracture and the mechanics. It was found that the density of built samples is 96 per cent, and the hardness is similar in comparison to conventional material. Findings The highest fracture toughness value was found to be 176 MPa m^(1/2) in the oz. building direction, and the lowest value was 145 MPa m^(1/2) in the z building direction. This was due to pores and some cracks at the edge, which are slightly lower in comparison to a conventional product. The build direction does have an effect on the microstructure of parts, which subsequently has an effect upon their mechanical properties and surface quality. Dendritic grain structures were found in oz. samples due to the high temperature gradient, fast cooling rate and reduced porosity. The tensile properties of such parts were found to be better than those made from conventional material. Originality/value The relationship between the process parameters, microstructure, surface quality and toughness has not previously been reported.

Production of Ti-6Al-4V acetabular shell using selective laser melting: possible limitations in fabrication

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
AmirMahyar Khorasani ◽  
Ian Gibson ◽  
Moshe Goldberg ◽  
Guy Littlefair
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Surface Quality ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Acetabular Shell ◽  
Aided Design ◽  
Outside Diameter

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to improve the manufacturing of a prosthetic acetabular shell by analyzing the main factors leading to failure during the selective laser melting (SLM) additive manufacturing (AM) process. Design/methodology/approach Different computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing processes have been applied to fabricate acetabular parts. Then, various investigations into surface quality, mechanical properties and microstructure have been carried out to scrutinize the possible limitations in fabrication. Findings Geometrical measurements showed 1.59 and 0.27 per cent differences between the designed and manufactured prototypes for inside and outside diameter, respectively. However, resulting studies showed that unstable surfaces, cracks, an interruption in powder delivery and low surface quality were the main problems that occurred during this process. These results indicate that SLM is an accurate and promising method for production of intricate shapes, provided that the appropriate settings of production conditions are considered to minimize possible limitations. Originality/value The contributions of this paper are discussions covering different issues in the AM fabrication of acetabular shells to improve the mechanical properties, quality and durability of the produced parts.

Selective laser melting of magnesium AZ31B alloy powder

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej Pawlak ◽  
Patrycja E. Szymczyk ◽  
Tomasz Kurzynowski ◽  
Edward Chlebus
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Alloy Powder ◽  
Az31 Alloy ◽  
Optimum Process ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Az31b Alloy ◽  
Hot Rolled

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the results of material tests conducted on specimens manufactured from AZ31 alloy powder by selective laser melting (SLM) technology. The manufactured specimens were then subjected to porosity assessment, microstructure analysis as well as to mechanical and corrosion tests. Design/methodology/approach SLM process was optimized using the design of experiments tools. Experiments aimed at selecting optimum process parameters were carried out in accordance with a five-level rotatable central composite design. Findings The porosity results showed very low values of <1 per cent, whereas mechanical properties were close to the values reported for the reference wrought AZ31 alloy in hot-rolled state. A fine-grained microstructure was observed with a large range of grain size, which enhanced the material’s mechanical properties. Corrosion characteristics of the SLM-manufactured material exceed those determined for the wrought material. Originality/value The results presented in this paper drive interest in magnesium alloys used in additive manufacturing processes. Low porosity, good mechanical properties, form of the microstructure and, most importantly, improved corrosion characteristics suggest that SLM provides great potential for the manufacture of ultralight structures, including resorbable metallic implants.

Investigation of Sectoral Scanning in Selective Laser Melting

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evren Yasa ◽  
Jan Deckers ◽  
Jean-Pierre Kruth ◽  
Marleen Rombouts ◽  
Jan Luyten
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Residual Stresses ◽  
Laser Beam ◽  
Surface Quality ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Laser Source ◽  
Metal Powders ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Powder Bed

Selective laser melting (SLM), a powder metallurgical (PM) additive manufacturing (AM) technology, is able to produce fully functional parts directly from standard metal powders without using any intermediate binders or any additional post-processing steps. During the process, a laser beam selectively scans a powder bed according to the CAD data of the part to be produced and completely melts the powder particles together. Stacking and bonding two-dimensional powder layers in this way, allows production of fully dense parts with any geometrical complexity. The scanning of the powder bed by the laser beam can be achieved in several different ways, one of which is island or sectoral scanning. In this way, the area to be scanned is divided in small square areas (‘sectors’) which are scanned in a random order. This study is carried out to explore the influence of sectoral scanning on density, surface quality, mechanical properties and residual stresses formed during SLM. The experiments are carried out on a machine with an Nd:YAG laser source using AISI 316L stainless steel powder. As a result of this experimental study, it is concluded that sectoral scanning has some advantages such as lower residual stresses and better surface quality. However, the selection of parameters related to sectoral scanning is a critical task since it may cause aligned porosity at the edges between sectors or scanned tracks, which is very undesired in terms of mechanical properties.

scholarly journals Optimisation of selective laser melting parameters for the Ni-based superalloy IN-738 LC using Doehlert’s design

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 881-892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nataliya Perevoshchikova ◽  
Jordan Rigaud ◽  
Yu Sha ◽  
Martin Heilmaier ◽  
Barrie Finnin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Relative Density ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Processing Parameters ◽  
Powder Alloy ◽  
Operating Parameters ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Doehlert Design ◽  
Feasible Set ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The Ni-based superalloy IN-738 LC is known to be susceptible to porosity and different types of cracking during the build-up process and, thus, challenging to manufacture using selective laser melting (SLM). Determining a feasible set of operating parameters for SLM of nickel-based superalloys involves new approach to experimental design based on the Doehlert method that assists in determining an optimal (feasible) set of operating parameters for SLM of IN-738 LC powder alloy. Design/methodology/approach The SLM parameters are evaluated in terms of their effectiveness in obtaining the microstructure with a porosity content of <0.5 per cent and without micro-cracking. The experimental approach is exemplified with the Doehlert matrix response variable, relative density, by comparing Archimedes method with microstructural assessments of pores and cracks from image analysis. The effect of heat treatment (HT) and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) on the microstructure of the SLMed IN-738 LC powder alloy has been examined and the consequential tensile response characterised. Findings By using optimised process parameters (low heat input, medium scanning speed and small hatching distance) which provides medium energy density, samples of IN-738 LC with a macroscopic porosity <0.5 per cent and free of micro-cracks can be manufactured by SLM. The results indicate that HIP of SLMed material did not lead to a noticeable effect on mechanical properties compared to HT of SLMed material suggesting that the level of both porosity and crack density might be already below the detection limit for the mere heat-treated material. Originality/value SLM processing parameters (power, scan speed, hatching distance) for IN-738 LC were successfully optimised after only 14 experiments using Doehlert design. Two independent methods, Archimedes method and image analysis, were used in this study to assess relative density of SLM-produced samples with sets of processing parameters showing coherency in prediction with predicted response by Doehlert design.

Design of internal branch support structures for selective laser melting

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 764-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhixiong Zhang ◽  
Chunbing Wu ◽  
Tang Li ◽  
Keshan Liang ◽  
Yujun Cao
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Testing Machine ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Support Structures ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Internal Branch ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Branch Support

Purpose Selective laser melting (SLM) enables the fabrication of lightweight and complex metallic structures. Support structures are required in the SLM process to successfully produce parts. Supports are typically lattice structures, which cost much time and material to manufacture. Besides, the manufacturability of these supports is undesirable, which may impact the quality of parts or even fail the process. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the efficiency and mechanical properties of advanced internal branch support structures for SLM. Design/methodology/approach The theoretic weight of a branch support and a lattice support of the same plane were calculated and compared. A group of standard candidates of branch support structures were manufactured by SLM. The weight and scanning time of specimens with different design parameters were compared. Then, these samples were tested using an MTS Insight 30 compression testing machine to study the influence of different support parameters on mechanical strength of the support structures. Findings The results show that branch type supports can save material, energy and time used needed for their construction. The yield strength of the branch increases with the branch diameter and inclined branch angle in general. Furthermore, branch supports have a higher strength than traditional lattice supports. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first work investigating production efficiency and mechanical properties of branch support structures for SLM. The findings in this work are valuable for development of advanced optimal designs of efficient support structures for SLM process.

scholarly journals Effects processing parameters and building orientation on the microstructural and mechanical properties of AlSilOMg parts printed by selective laser melting

2021 ◽  
Vol 121 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Phetolo ◽  
V. Matjeke ◽  
J. van der Merwe
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Processing Parameters ◽  
Fractographic Analysis ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Homogeneous Microstructure ◽  
Building Orientation

SYNOPSIS The mechanical properties and microstructure of AlSilOMg alloy samples that were printed by selective laser melting (SLM) were studied to determine the effect of processing parameters and building orientation. After printing, the alloy was stress relieved at 250°C for 2 hours. The microstructures were analysed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the alloy phases and distribution. Phase transformation characteristics of the material were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Mechanical properties were determined by subjecting the XY- and Z-built samples to tensile and nano-indentation testing. The samples from the tensile tests were then used to perform fractographic analysis by SEM. The microstructural properties in each orientation revealed a non-homogeneous microstructure which was characterized by a semi-elliptical tract and fine silicon precipitates, which were found to be softer along the fusion zone. The DSC thermograms revealed that the material underwent two phase transformations during the first heating cycle. The mechanical properties revealed a higher UTS, higher yield strength, and a lower percentage elongation in the Z orientation than in the XY orientation. Fractographic analysis showed that crack initiation in both orientations started from the surface in a brittle manner due to surface flows, and then propagated via microvoid coalescence. Keywords: AlSi10Mg alloy, additive manufacturing, mechanical propeerties, microstructure.

Effect of processing parameters on forming defects during selective laser melting of AlSi10Mg powder

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 871-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haihua Wu ◽  
Junfeng Li ◽  
Zhengying Wei ◽  
Pei Wei
Keyword(s):  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Laser Power ◽  
Scanning Speed ◽  
Processing Parameters ◽  
Argon Pressure ◽  
Powder Layer ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Scan Speed ◽  
Forming Defects

Purpose To fabricate a selective laser melting (SLM)-processed AlSi10Mg part with almost full density and free of any apparent pores, this study aims to investigate the effect of ambient argon pressure and laser scanning speed on the particles splash during the AlSi10Mg powder bed laser melting. Design/methodology/approach Based on the discrete element method (DEM), a 3D model of random distribution of powder particles was established, and the 3D free surface of SLM forming process was dynamically tracked by the volume of fluid, where a Gaussian laser beam acts as the energy source melting the powder bed. Through the numerical simulation and process experimental research, the effect of the applied laser power and scanning speed on the operating laser melting temperature was studied. Findings The process stability has a fundamental role in the porosity formation, which is process-dependent. The effect of the processing conditions on the process stability and the resultant forming defects were clarified. Research limitations/implications The results shows that the pores were the main defects present in the SLM-processed AlSi10Mg sample, which decreases the densification level of the sample. Practical implications The optimal processing parameters (argon pressure of 1,000 Pa, laser power of 180 W, scan speed of 1,000 mm/s, powder layer thickness of 35 µm and hatch spacing of 50 µm ) applied during laser melting can improve the quality of selective laser melting of AlSi10Mg, Social implications It can provide a technological support for 3D printing. Originality/value Based on the analysis of the pore and balling formation mechanisms, the optimal processing parameters have been obtained, which were argon pressure of 1,000 Pa, laser power of 180 W, scan speed of 1,000 mm/s, powder layer thickness of 35 µm and hatch spacing of 50 µm. Then, a near-fully dense sample free of any apparent pores on the cross-sectional microstructure was produced by SLM, wherein the relative density of the as-built samples is larger than 97.5%.

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