ACCURATE DETERMINATION OF THE RELATIVE DENSITY OF SLM ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED PARTS

• Cornelius Petrus Kloppers School of Mechanical Engineering, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5942-0251
• Deon de Beer NRF SARChI in Medical Product Development through AM, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, Free State.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7166/35-4-3040

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a disruptive technology that provides design freedom, fast turnaround times, and a digital workflow. However, reliable mechanical and material properties are crucial for medical implants and devices produced by AM. The laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) echnique is a reliable method for producing high-quality parts with excellent mechanical properties. The presence of internal porosity, however, is one of the most significant problems in SLM part production. This study aimed to determine the relative density of components produced by LPBF and to develop a method for accurately quantifying the relative density. Three powders were used to evaluate the efficacy of three different quantification methods. The OR-Laser Creator LPBF unit was used to manufacture them. After production, all nine samples were polished on a lathe, and the relative density was measured using three different quantification methods. The results of this study showed that the Archimedes principle is the most accurate and reliable method for determining the density of materials used in LPBF. The findings of this study should help to ensure that the quality of parts produced by SLM is reliable and accurate. This should increase confidence in the use of LPBF in the medical industry and other industries where AM components have a significant advantage.