• Trouillet, Vanessa
• Seifert, Hans Jürgen
• Pfleging, Wilhelm
• Scharnweber, Tim
• Weigel, Simone
• Solheid, Juliana S.
• Wunsch, Torsten

Abstract

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is one of the additive manufacturing methods usedto build metallic parts. To achieve the design requirements, the LPBF process chain can becomelong and complex. This work aimed to use dierent laser techniques as alternatives to traditionalpost-processes, in order to add value and new perspectives on applications, while also simplifying theprocess chain. Laser polishing (LP) with a continuous wave laser was used for improving the surfacequality of the parts, and an ultrashort pulse laser was applied to functionalize it. Each technique,individually and combined, was performed following distinct stages of the process chain. In additionto removing asperities, the samples after LP had contact angles within the hydrophilic range.In contrast, all functionalized surfaces presented hydrophobicity. Oxides were predominant onthese samples, while prior to the second laser processing step, the presence of TiN and TiC wasalso observed. The cell growth viability study indicated that any post-process applied did notnegatively aect the biocompatibility of the parts. The presented approach was considered a suitablepost-process option for achieving dierent functionalities in localized areas of the parts, for replacingcertain steps of the process chain, or a combination of both.

Topics

• impedance spectroscopy
• surface
• selective laser melting
• functionalization
• tin
• biocompatibility
• polishing