Combining experiments and modelling to predict the competition between liquid spreading and impregnation in porous media for Metal Binder Jetting applications

Abstract

A predictive model accounting for binder spreading and impregnation in powders during Metal Binder Jetting was set. Presintered cylindrical samples were 3D printed considering main printing orientations and two types of wetting tests were carried out on samples : imbibition or wicking tests using a tensiometric method and spreading-impregnation tests using a sessile drop method with a goniometer. Tensiometric tests showed results on impregnation rate in powders and goniometric tests gave the impregnated volume of the binder drop into the powder. Both those experiments allowed to identify physical parameters depending on the binder and powder bed interaction. All parameters injected in the model have been identified in the present study. The proposed model accurately described experiments and showed the dependence of impregnated volume on wetting parameters but also on printing orientation.