Investigation of Selective Laser Sintering of Zirconium Diboride Parts (PREPRINT)

Abstract

This paper presents a study using the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process to fabricate Zirconium Diboride (ZrB2) parts for ultra high temperature applications. Experiments were conducted to determine values of SLS process parameters (laser power, scan speed, energy density, line spacing, and layer thickness) that can be used to build ZrB2 parts with high integrity and sharp geometrical features. A sacrificial plate with a proper number of layers (determined from experimentation) and separated from the main part, was first built in order to reduce thermal gradients. The sacrificial plate was found to assist in eliminating cracks in the bottom of the main part. The fabricated green parts then went through post processing steps including binder burnout and sintering at proper temperature schedules, to remove the binder and sinter the ZrB2 particles. The test bars after sintering had an average relative density of 87% and an average flexural strength of 250 MPa.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA523925

Entities

People

  • Gregory E Hilmas
  • Ming C. Leu
  • Shashwatashish Pattnaik

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Fabrication
  • Fatty Acids
  • Flexural Strength
  • Fuel Injectors
  • Geometry
  • Heat Transfer
  • Laminated Object Manufacturing
  • Lasers
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Selective Laser Sintering
  • Temperature Gradients

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics.
  • Software Engineering
  • Surface Engineering/Surface Coating Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster