Product Code: ICAL09_1908

Comparison of Powder Additive Qualities with Regard to Achievable LMD Results
Authors:
Marco Goebel, Llt, Chair for Laser Technology Rwth Aachen; Aachen Germany
Steffanie Linnenbrink, Llt, Chair for Laser Technology Rwth Aachen; Aachen Germany
Ingomar Kelbassa, Llt, Chair for Laser Technology Rwth Aachen; Aachen Germany
N. Ludwig, -; -
Presented at ICALEO 2009

Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) is a common technology used for local repairs and additive manufacturing of complete parts 3D applications such as aero engine and automotive components as well as for wear and corrosion protection of parts 2D cladding applications such as tools, dies, and molds. The achievable LMD results such as the metallurgical results, e.g. porosity, bonding defects, cracks, macro and micro structures, and contaminations as well as the achievable mechanical specifications based on the achieved metallurgical quality are depending on the processing parameters such as laser power, powder mass flow, feeding and shielding gas flows etc.. One parameter not investigated so far is the main input parameter powder additive quality. Powder additive parameters such as particle size, the absence or presence of hollow particles, particle shape, and chemical composition have an influence on LMD results such as defect occurrence increased porosity, bonding defects, and embrittlement yielding in increased cracking. In this paper different powder additive qualities made of Titanium base (alpha+beta) alloy Ti-6246 and Nickel base alloy Inconel 718 are investigated. Two powders each one thermally gas atomized by induction melting, the other one mechanically pulverized are compared with regard to achievable metallurgical and mechanical LMD results.