INVESTIGATING THE TRIBOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF AlSi10Mg PARTS MANUFACTURED BY DIRECT METAL LASER SINTERING
AbstractDirect metal laser sintering (DMLS) is a kind of additive manufacturing (AM) method which uses powder bed fusion technology for building up near net-shape parts. Although it provides opportunity to create complex geometries, surface quality is still insufficient. Post processes are generally applied to AM parts for increasing surface quality. In this study tribological performance of AlSi10Mg surfaces, manufactured by DMLS were investigated. Sample surfaces were post processed by shot peening and polishing operations. Surfaces were characterized in terms of 2D profile and 3D areal surface roughness parameters. Roughness measurements were taken by both mechanical and optical profilometers. Tribological properties were investigated by ball-on-disc tribotester. 6 mm diameter Al2O3 balls were used as counter face. Tests were applied under 10N load and deionized water was used as lubricant. Wear amounts were determined by measuring weight loss. The results showed that surface finishing operations strongly affect the surface properties and tribological behavior of the samples.