Study of Materials Produced by Powder Metallurgy Using Classical and Modern Additive Laser Technology

Abstract

The paper focuses on an analysis of materials produced by modern classic additive method direct metal laser sintering (i.e. powder metallurgy). Direct metal laser sintering belongs to file of additive technologies of rapid prototyping. Rapid prototyping technology is a progressive group of methods used for fast creating of models, prototypes and components directly from 3D data. According to a used technology photopolymers, thermoplastics, specially modified paper or metal powders are used in rapid prototyping machines. Nowadays those production machines creates not only models and prototypes, but they are used to manufacture tools, forms and components for small series production.The purpose of the theoretical part is to gain in depth understanding of exactly what is the principle of direct metal laser sintering and what are properties of explored materials. The practical part analyses structures of materials used by classic and powder metallurgy. It concentrates on samples preparation, their analysis (using light and electron microscopy) and testing. Samples are analysed by mechanical tensile test and Vickers hardness test. The paper also compares sintered samples with steel equivalents produced by classic metallurgy giving final recommendation.