Selective Laser Melting of TiC-Based Cermet: HIP Studies

Development in the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-built TiC-Fe based cermets fabricated through selective laser melting (SLM) adapting pulse shape technique has been studied and is compared after post-treatment process like hot isostatic pressing (HIP). Pulse shaping temporarily distributes the energy uniformly within the single layer of pulses and the laser material exposure can be controlled with controlled energy delivery. For the fabrication of TiC-based cermets, laser beam optimization proves to be an effective fabrication method to produce crack-free cermets. Some porosity may be observed in as-built samples due to a lack of fusion and poor feedstock powder rheology. The maximum hardness and fracture toughness values achieved for the as-fabricated samples are found to be 1020 +/- 50 HV and 16.5 +/- 1.5 MPa m(1/2). Post-processing treatments such as HIP performed at high temperature and high pressures were adapted, where the hardness decreases (due to microstructural coarsening) and fracture toughness show a marginal increase (due to pore closure).

Automated summary

The development of microstructure and mechanical properties of TiC-Fe based cermets fabricated through selective laser melting (SLM) and post-treatment processes were studied. Pulse shaping technique was used to distribute energy uniformly and control the laser material exposure. Laser beam optimization proved to be an effective method for crack-free cermets fabrication.