Papers by Author: Jin Hui Liu

Abstract: Selective laser melting (SLMing) is a new advanced material processing technology which is used in fabricating parts with complex shape. Hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) is a manufacture technology which forms parts by imposing high heat and pressure on metal powders or semi-manufactured parts. Considering the advantages of both the technologies, they can be combined to produce higher-quality parts free from the limitation of the shape of parts. AISI316L stainless steel is widely used in manufacturing varies of complex metal parts. In this research, three AISI316L stainless steel samples with different relative densities were acquired by controlling the fabricating parameters in SLM. The SEM and optical microscopy analysis were employed to characterize the relative density, microstructure, deformation by comparing the differences between SLM samples and SLM-HIPped samples. In addition, the influence of HIP process on microstructures of samples in different laser fabricating parameters was investigated by analyzing the mechanisms of SLM and HIP. The results show that HIP can close vacuum crack and pore, consequently, the relative density of SLM samples increases after HIP, making the property of the samples improved and microstructure better-distributed. Moreover, the increment of relative density under the same HIP condition is also discussed.

Abstract: Selective laser melting (SLM) is an advanced manufacturing technology, which is flexible in building three-dimensional (3D) metallic parts. In this work, SLM experiment of a multicomponent Ni-based composite powder, which consisted of Ni, Cr, Fe, and Al powders, was conducted with favorable forming ability. The SEM, EDX, and XRD analysis were used to characterize the surface morphology, microstructure, and phase structure of as-formed Ni-based alloy. The XRD analysis showed that the as-received phase structure was Ni based solid solution. The SEM analysis of surface morphology revealed that metal agglomerates or balls were very easily formed in SLM surface, between which some pore channels existed. The surface condition and porosity could be improved by increasing laser energy input, because of a higher molten temperature and accordingly better flowing and flatting characteristics. The SEM analysis of microstructure showed that the crystalline grains were in cellular and columnar shape. Moreover, the grains were very fine with average dimensions about 5μm, due to the rapid cooling rate with rapid laser beam moving. The EDX analysis illustrated that the element contents of starting powder were uniformly distributed in as-prepared sample. A case investigation into SLM of this composite powder to form an impeller was also performed.

Abstract: Melting tracks with and without powder materials were studied by varying the parameters in selective laser melting. Several characters of melting track such as melting width and gilled state stripes were analyzed combining the relationship between the powder materials and processing parameters. Connected with balling effects, thermal transmission and thermal physical properties of powder materials, the formation of above character were explained. The research result of this work would provide a basic foundation for the further investigation of the quality of end metal component manufactured by selective laser melting method.

Abstract: Shrinkage tends to generate when loose metal powder melted in each processing layer along the direction of layer growing during selective laser melting process, resulting in an increased real layer thickness. The shrinkage model for layer shrinkage in SLM process is established. The variation of real layer thickness and the relevant mathematical explanations are discussed in this paper. The results show that the total shrinkage of metal powder layer sharply increases in the initial layers, and then reaches to a plateau value with the increased processing layers. This value is defined by the ratio of sliced layer thickness (h) to relative density (k) during selective laser melting process.

Abstract: The cutting force in manufacture process was observed with Kistler dynamometer. A special clamp was designed to simulate the real condition of blade cutting. Series of experiments were done. Cutting force reflected structure of the blade and movement of machine. Cutting force was changed with feed speed varied and the rotation of axis B & C. Resultant cutting force was uniform in back and basin of blade and increased with cutting speed went up. Resultant force was waved in edge of blade. Back and basin forces were lager than edge force in X direction. Force X invoked vibration.