A novel method of creation capillary structures in metal parts based on using selective laser melting methid of 3D printing technology and surface roughness

It has been experimentally proved that it is possible to produce a metal capillary structure with significant capillary action and free shape configuration using selective laser melting. Capillaries are created by dividing the solid detail volume into micro-sized parallel walls with roughness as a result of SLM 3D printing. Experiments are conducted on aluminum powder with particle size in the range of 10–40 µm (,) and distances in 3D model between surfaces incapillary generation zone in the range of 50–200 µm. It is showed that products produced from model with 100 µm gaps have the greatest efficiency of fluid lifting as a result of obtaining stable arrays of capillaries of 20–40 µm in size. Change in the direction of (growing) printingthe product doesn’t significantly influence on capillary geometry, but it affects on safety of the structure.