Mechanical characterisation of metal material properties in additive layer processes

This paper presents experimental work to demonstrate the effects of machine parameters on mechanical properties, dimensional accuracy, roughness and build time in SLS, DMLS and LC technologies. The research was carried out using a design of experiments methodology, which involved using three parameters with two levels each, and measuring the different results. The experiments conducted showed that build direction had the most effect on mechanical properties and accuracy. However, a thickness effect on Young’s modulus when the LC process was used was also observed. It is assumed that the process parameters for that material developed by the machine vendor would give optimum results, but it was demonstrated that results can vary depending on the process parameters used. Two major applications have been made from this research: the results help industrial companies estimate mechanical properties before part production and it provides a useful comparison of technologies with different build process parameters.