Selective laser melting of multi material

• Main Author: Sun, Zhongji
• Other Authors: Chua Chee Kai
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/64558
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

With the increased demand for customised products with unique geometries and features, current manufacturing methods are challenged to produce complex shapes. Additive manufacturing is gradually replacing the traditional manufacturing methods to come up with complex parts required in small quantities. Additive manufacturing for multi materials in polymers has been researched more comprehensively compared to multi materials for metals. This is due to the lower working requirement for the polymers and plastics. However, metallic multi materials possess huge potential for application in our lives. One example would be making use of the strength of stainless steel for the outer support structure and the high heat conductivity of copper inside to control the direction of heat flow. This project aims to use selective laser melting to fabricate multi materials (316L stainless steel and Hovadur K220 copper) in two directions. Previous research work has shown the capability of fabricating multi materials in one direction via selective laser melting. This project successfully manufactured multi material parts in two directions with the help of a multi compartment hopper design. Scanning Electron Microscopic and Energy-disperse X-ray spectroscopy tests have shown successful bond formed between the two materials side by side to each other. This project serves as one of the first steps for metallic multi material fabrication using additive manufacturing methods. There are still many areas needed to be developed for metallic multi materials to be successfully fabricated into any shape and geometry.