3D Printing of Plain and Gradient Cermets with Efficient Use of Raw Materials

Abstract

3D printing of plastic materials is very popular nowadays, while printing of wear resistant hard materials is still an issue. Gradient or functionally graded structures are providing improved performance in impact-abrasive application (tunnelling, geothermal drilling, mining, etc.) through the optimal positioning of areas providing high wear resistance and high resistance against impacts. However, printing of such structures by widely used powder bed selective laser sintering leads to the high consumption of raw materials (powders) that cannot be used again for next printing. A method to overcome this problem is explored in current work. The cermets were produced from following powders: (1) commercial, (2) obtained by disintegration of cutting tool inserts (recycled) and (3) reused recycled ones. Tungsten and cobalt used for the production of the majority of cermets are critical raw materials and their consumption should be reduced while the rate of recycling needs to be increased. The surfaces were studied with the help of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The hardness and wear rate of samples in abrasive conditions were measured.