Compaction behavior of powder bed fusion feedstock for metal and polymer additive manufacturing. Issue 11 (4th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sillani, Francesco; Wagner, Dominik; Spurek, Marvin Aaron; Haferkamp, Lukas; Spierings, Adriaan Bernardus; Schmid, Manfred; Wegener, Konrad
• Is Part Of: Rapid prototyping journal. Volume 27:Issue 11(2021)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 66
• Publication Date: 2021-08-04
• Subjects: Selective laser sintering -- Flowability -- Compaction -- Powder bed fusion PBF -- Selective laser melting SLM -- Tap density; Engineering design -- Periodicals; 620.004205
• DOI: 10.1108/RPJ-01-2021-0010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-2546

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Powder bed-based additive manufacturing (AM) is a promising family of technologies for industrial applications. The purpose of this study is to provide a new metrics based on the analysis of the compaction behavior for the evaluation of flowability of AM powders. Design/methodology/approach: In this work, a novel qualification methodology based on a camera mounted onto a commercially available tap density meter allowed to assess the compaction behavior of a selection of AM materials, both polymers and metals. This methodology automatizes the reading of the powder height and obtains more information compared to ASTM B527. A novel property is introduced, the "tapping modulus, " which describes the packing speed of a powdered material and is related to a compression/vibration powder flow. Findings: The compaction behavior was successfully correlated with the dynamic angle of repose for polymers, but interestingly not for metals, shedding more light to the different flow behavior of these materials. Research limitations/implications: Because of the chosen materials, the results may lack generalizability. For example, the application of this methodology outside of AM would be interesting. Originality/value: This paper suggests a new methodology for assessing the flowing behavior of AM materials when subjected to compression. The device is inexpensive and easy to implement in a quality assurance environment, being thus interesting for industrial applications.