Abstract
Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques offer the possibility to build complex geometries with integrated functionalities. Three-dimensional (3D) printing of metallic powder is probably the only AM technique that can build controlled porosity sintered parts, such as filter elements and fluid permeable components. Many building and sintering parameters can be set to adjust porous properties of the final part. The effects of particle size, particle shape, sintering temperature and sintering time on the final properties of the sintered parts have been analysed. Correlations have been established between these properties and process parameters.
This work was performed as part of a FIRST DoCA project, funded by the Direction générale opérationnelle de l’Economie, de l’Emploi et de la Recherche of Wallonia Region in Belgium. The authors would also like to thank the Euro Heat Pipes Company for the bubble point tests. This paper is a revised version of a presentation at Euro PM 2011, organised by EPMA in Barcelona, Spain on 9–12 October 2012.