SELECTIVE LASER MELTING OF SPODUMENE: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Selective laser melting of a raw mineral - spodumene, was studied in an effort to expand the range of usable material for the SLM process. Single layer parametric tests were conducted varying the process parameters such as laser power, scan velocity, and hatch spacing. The results from this experiment showed that under appropriate parameters, continuous melt tracks were producible. Furthermore, powder X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that the phases formed were largely amorphous after melting. Although the process parameters require further optimisation, this study has shown the possibility of manufacturing a glass ceramic with the use of raw mineral.