Authors:
Preyin Govender (Stellenbosch University, DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, South Africa),
Deborah Clare Blaine (Stellenbosch University, DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, South Africa)
Abstract:
While additive manufacturing (AM) is rapidly gaining ground as an established manufacturing process, understanding and controlling process parameters to develop process chains remains an area for research. A critical parameter relevant to laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), the most common AM technology, is baseplate material selection. This is especially relevant for uncommon build materials such as cemented carbides. In this study, LPBF of WC-Co cemented carbides is investigated, evaluating the influence of baseplate coating on the build. A DIN 1.2343 tool steel baseplate was used for WC-Co LPBF builds, both in the uncoated and coated state. WC-CoCr (1350VM) powder was used to coat the baseplate, while two WC-Co powders with different Co content (17 and 12 wt%, respectively) were used to compare builds of these alloys. The WC-Co powders were characterized to establish their suitability for LPBF. Cuboids were printed, with and without supports, on the coated and uncoated baseplate.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59499/WP225371527