Fabrication of Multi-Material Laminate Structure Using Laser Powder-Bed Fusion in a Laboratory Scale Developed Setup
摘要
In comparison with metals, ceramics have low density, excellent heat resistance, high strength, and higher hardness but low toughness mechanical properties. The multi-material (ceramic/metal) laminate structures can enhance the mechanical properties in accordance with the choice of materials and applications. Additive manufacturing (AM) has become an emerging technology for printing complex designs irrespective of materials such as plastics, metals, and ceramics. With recent developments and progressions, AM is not limited to single-material-based printing. Multi-material laser powder-bed fusion (MM-LPBF) has gained ground in the fabrication of multi-material structures with tailored mechanical properties. It has potential applications in the aerospace, biomedical, ballistics, and electronics industries. Concomitantly, the compatibility of chosen materials interfaces, strengthening mechanisms, defects, and degree of control over printing such structures has been challenging. The current study investigates the sinterability of a multi-material laminate structure of Ti6Al4V, Ti6Al4V + w/w 15%SiC, and TiN (metal/metal matrix composite/ceramic) materials using a laboratory scale LPBF setup. The mechanical response of the printed structure under various laser scanning speeds was characterized for intermetallic compound formation, microstructure, and surface roughness using optical profilometer, XRD, and FESEM analysis.