Metal powder bed thermal diffusivity: effects of gas environments on powder flow
摘要
A laser flash tri-layered analysis for measuring the thermal diffusivity of nickel-based superalloy Inconel718 (IN718) powder, Ti64 powder, and 316 L stainless steel (316 L SS) powder, which are used in laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing, is described. In the LPBF AM process, thermal properties of the powder bed depend on various input parameters. Thermal diffusivities of powder samples in two separate gaseous environments (He and N2) inside the furnace were measured at different temperatures. Measurements indicate that the temperature change has a minimal effect on the thermal diffusivity of powder samples, while it is influenced critically by the change in gaseous environment. The thermal diffusivity of IN718, Ti64, and 316 L SS solid samples was measured. Additionally, SEM and XPS analyses were performed to observe the changes in powder morphology and surface oxidation state due to high temperature and different gas atmospheres.