INVESTIGATION OF THE FABRICATION PROCESS OF METAL 3D PRINTED POWDER BY MOLTEN ALLOY DISPERSION METHOD USING CENTRIFUGATION AND HIGH-PRESSURE GAS

Abstract

Atomization using centrifugation and high-pressure gas is considered to be a relatively new method of producing metal 3D printing powders. The metal powder made by this method is expected to obtain an adequate small-scaled size with the limitation of satellites stuck to the surface due to the reduction of the gas flow in the dispersion chamber. This work conducted experimental studies with aluminum alloy graded of AlSi10Mg. The particle size distribution of the fabricated metal powder after fabrication was evaluated using standard sieves and the laser diffraction method. In addition, the morphological structure of metal powder particles was examined by scanning electron microscopy method. The investigation results have determined the influence of geometrical and technological parameters of the atomization process, including liquid metal flow, liquid metal overheating, and some structural parameters of equipment on the quantity and quality of the product.