Processing conditions and mechanical properties of high speed steel parts fabricated using direct selective laser sintering

Abstract

This paper reports the results of an investigation into the selective laser sintering of a prealloyed high-speed steel powder. The structured development of processing conditions for single lines, single layers and multiple layers of material is reported, as are the flexural modulus and strength of the single- and multiple layer components. Infiltration with bronze was used to improve the mechanical properties of the components and it is concluded that selective laser sintering of high-speed steel allied to bronze infiltration can produce material with the mechanical properties to allow for use in load-bearing applications, but that further work is required to improve the density, mechanical properties and build rate if selective laser sintering is to develop as a general manufacturing process for hard metals.