Utilization of large scale infrastructures to study the effect of the processing gas in Laser Powder Bed Fusion
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB - Industrial and Materials Science |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | February 2020 - March 2021 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Research infrastructure - utilisation and collaboration |
| Call | Industrial pilot projects for the utilisation of neutron and photon based techniques at large-scale infrastructures - Autumn 2019 |
| End-of-project report | 2019-05272_Linde.pdf (pdf, 406 kB) |
Important results from the project
The main target of the project was to understand the role and effect of the different process gases during Laser Powder Bed Fusion of Ti64 alloy using synchrotron based in-situ X-ray diffraction during solidification at Swiss Light Source, Villigen, using unique miniSLM test rig designed by PSI. Synchrotron X-ray computed tomography at Bessy II, Berlin, was used to distinguish porosity distribution and measure residual stresses. Results show that processing under He-rich processing atmospheres allows to stabilize melt pool and hence increase process stability and robustness.
Expected long term effects
Obtained results indicate that application of He and He-rich atmospheres assures better process control during LPBF and hence allows to increase productivity and component quality. Limited effect of the process gas on the porosity and residual stresses in the components processed by LPBF using different gases was shown. This allowed Linde to reveal potential of the utilization of the synchrotron based in-situ XRD and CT to study the effect of the processing gas in laser powder bed fusion, providing necessary knowledge for development of the alternative processing atmospheres for AM.
Approach and implementation
Revealed potential of helium- and helium-containing atmosphere for LPBF will allow Linde to introduce novel tailored processing gases for LPBF, allowing to increase process robustness and productivity. Developed methodology, based on utilisation of synchrotron based in-situ XRD and CT, will allow Linde to further develop more dedicated tailored processing atmospheres to improve microstructure and properties of the specific materials. Availability of the tailored processing atmospheres is believed to significantly wider LPBF application fields.