Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Process characteristics and effects of gas- and water-atomized stainless steel powders in laser-based rapid tooling
AU - Pinkerton, A. J.
AU - Li, L.
PY - 2003/8
Y1 - 2003/8
N2 - In rapid tooling using the direct laser deposition process and stainless steel materials, only powders prepared using the gas-atomization method have been used because of their presumed superior flow characteristics. In this article, the use of water-atomized powder is investigated by comparing the behavior of the two types of 316 L powders, deposited using a CO2 laser and coaxial head. Results show little difference in the pneumatic conveyance of the powders, but considerably greater absorption of laser energy by the water-atomized powder between the nozzle and material deposition point. Walls produced using the water-atomized powder exhibited a more textured microstructure and smoother sidewall surfaces, with less surface metallic oxides, but the deposition rate was considerably lower than when using gas-atomized powder. (C) 2003 Laser Institute of America.
AB - In rapid tooling using the direct laser deposition process and stainless steel materials, only powders prepared using the gas-atomization method have been used because of their presumed superior flow characteristics. In this article, the use of water-atomized powder is investigated by comparing the behavior of the two types of 316 L powders, deposited using a CO2 laser and coaxial head. Results show little difference in the pneumatic conveyance of the powders, but considerably greater absorption of laser energy by the water-atomized powder between the nozzle and material deposition point. Walls produced using the water-atomized powder exhibited a more textured microstructure and smoother sidewall surfaces, with less surface metallic oxides, but the deposition rate was considerably lower than when using gas-atomized powder. (C) 2003 Laser Institute of America.
M3 - Journal article
VL - 15
SP - 172
EP - 178
JO - Journal of Laser Applications
JF - Journal of Laser Applications
SN - 1042-346X
IS - 3
ER -