Laser powder bed fusion of Alumina/Fe–Ni ceramic matrix particulate composites impregnated with a polymeric resin

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing (AM) plays a key role in meeting the vital demands of Industry. The AM industry needs the range of applicable materials to be expanded by conducting research on novel ones. In the present investigation, alumina/Fe–Ni (steel) ceramic matrix particulate composite was fabricated employing laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing (AM) technology. The quality of the printed samples was associated with the LPBF process parameters, which were optimized for this process. In general, the fabricated samples showed a microstructure of alumina matrix with uniform distribution of steel (Fe–Ni) particles. The as-printed samples exhibited pores. Thus, they were subjected to a sintering heat treatment cycle under an inert atmosphere. Although the sintering cycle considerably increased the average Vickers hardness, pores were not eliminated entirely. Therefore, polymer impregnation of the as-sintered samples was carried out to reduce porosities and microcracks. The mercury porosimeter showed that the porosity decreased sequentially after sintering and polymer impregnation. In addition, mechanical investigations revealed that the polymer impregnation improved the compressive strength of the sintered samples (from 56 to 120 MPa). Alumina-based materials find wide applications in various fields, including the manufacturing of electronic components, cutting tools, biomedical implants, and catalyst converters, owing to their low density, high hardness, wear and corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. This study presents a viable approach for the fabrication of these materials, with developed samples exhibiting promising properties. The study emphasizes the potential of additive manufacturing as an approach for the fabrication of ceramic matrix composites reinforced with metallic particulates in future research.