I'm very interested in quantifying and understanding the microstructural properties and subsequent mechanical properties of laser sintered powders (i.e. those produced by a selective laser sintering machine).
From what I have gathered so far, it seems you have two choices: Either use a single phase powder and accept that the surface energy will produce droplets (balling) when melting occurs giving a solid mass with poor surface finish or use two or more phases (or materials) one of which becomes a binder when melting (or necking) occurs. This gives a porous mass with good suface finish.
The problem I'm having is finding out much more beyond those simple facts. If anyone has any pointers I'd be grateful. What I'm trying to get is quantative data beyond this generalisation.
Any help you can give will be appreciated.
From what I have gathered so far, it seems you have two choices: Either use a single phase powder and accept that the surface energy will produce droplets (balling) when melting occurs giving a solid mass with poor surface finish or use two or more phases (or materials) one of which becomes a binder when melting (or necking) occurs. This gives a porous mass with good suface finish.
The problem I'm having is finding out much more beyond those simple facts. If anyone has any pointers I'd be grateful. What I'm trying to get is quantative data beyond this generalisation.
Any help you can give will be appreciated.
