Consistency of 3D printing spodumene articles

3^rd International Conference and Expo on Ceramics and Composite Materials

June 26-27, 2017 Madrid, Spain

M X Gan, C H Wong and S Techanithisawat

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Material Sci Eng

Abstract :

Statement of the Problem: Two of the many issues in selective laser melting is the repeatability and consistency of the printed parts. In particular, the properties of the printed parts may vary with respect to the printing locations on the substrate plate. Moreover, part property variation can also occur between separate print jobs. Therefore, this study aims to study the part properties at different locations of the substrate plate. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: We used selective laser melting to additive manufacture of 10 mm Ã?Â?10 mmÃ?Â?10 mm cubic spodumene glass-ceramic articles. The relative density of these parts is then measured using the Archimedes method and tabulated. On a separate print job, cylinders of Ã?Â?12 mm Ã?Â? 12 mm were printed. As a rule of thumb, the relative density of these samples should be independent of geometry in order to prove the consistency of printing this material. Findings: On average, the relative density of all the cubic samples was measured to be 59.231% with a standard deviation of 0.98%. Based on this average, the difference in relative densities at different locations was found to be less than 1%. The largest difference in relative density was calculated to be 3.98% at two different locations. Nevertheless, this shows that the relative densities of these parts printed at different locations were relatively consistent. Cylindrical samples printed were also measured to have very similar relative densities with the cubes. Conclusion & Significance: In conclusion, with the correct set-up and processing conditions, glass-ceramic parts can be printed with considerable consistency in terms of relative density. This study also shows the consistency for two different geometries as both produced comparatively similar relative densities.

Biography :

M X Gan is a Graduate Student in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering of Nanyang Technological University. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. His research interests include optimization of support structures and additive manufacturing of ceramics/glass-ceramics using the selective laser melting process.

Email: chwong@ntu.edu.sg