FUN‑LAM: Functionally graded slats in EBM

Previous experiments at the Sports Tech Research Center have shown the possibility of mixing different powders (especially metals) to modify the properties of materials made by additive manufacturing. The main problem with this is to ensure a homogeneous chemical composition because the different powders tend to accumulate in clusters.

In this project, a new approach is being tested where two powders with different compositions are placed in different containers in the building chamber. In this way, the process can be controlled to collect a certain amount of powder from each container, which is then mixed directly on the building surface. Because the process takes place through molten layer-on-layer, a unique chemical composition can be chosen for each 50-70 µm layer. Through this method, the goal is to manufacture slats which are held together by a gradient layer with both chemical and mechanical locking. When this is combined with advanced 3D geometries, many possibilities open up; one example is creating a transition from a ductile tool holder to a hard tool.

Another example is to use this method to create tie layers where tool holders can be built on existing tools. Through this, the material in the tool, which is often exotic due to cost and sustainability aspects, could be reduced. This is intended as a pilot study to explore the applicability and produce materials for future applications.

Financier

Rolf and Gunilla Enström's foundation