Effect of laser speeds on the mechanical property and corrosion resistance of CoCrW alloy fabricated by SLM

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of the study is to obtain dense Ni-free CoCrW parts fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) technique for dental application.Design/methodology/approachThe optimum of processing CoCrW powders was investigated by the varying laser scanning speeds between 200 and 1,500 mm/s with the other parameters fixed as constants. The investigations of density, phase, mechanical property and corrosion resistance were conducted.FindingsIt was found that a maximum relative density of 99.4 per cent was obtained with the preferable laser scanning speed of 700 mm/s; the outcome from the tensile test suggested that the 0.2 per cent yield strength of the specimen fabricated at 700 mm/s satisfied the type 5 criteria in ISO22764 for dental application, whereas the electrochemical test indicated that the specimens fabricated at 700 mm/s existed excellent corrosion resistance. The high precision dental denture could be fabricated by SLM.Originality/valueIn the study, the Ni-free CoCrW parts fabricated by SLM was investigated by the tensile and electrochemical tests. The yield strength, corrosion resistance and margin fit accuracy met requirements for dental application. It was considered that the speed of 700 mm/s with the laser powers of 95 W, the track width of 0.11 mm and the layer thickness of 25 μm are promising candidates for fabricating the CoCrW parts.