EFFECTS OF ENERGY DENSITY ON BONUS Z, SURFACE ROUGHNESS AND WARP AGE OF SELECTIVE LASER SINTERED POLYCARBONATE

摘要

Selective laser sintering (SLS) was used to prepare components from polycarbonate (PC) powder. The effects of energy density of the laser beam, ranging from 0.036 to 0.12 J/mm~2, on Bonus Z, morphology, surface roughness and residual stress induced damages of the sintered specimens were investigated. At low energy density levels, the surface roughness of the specimens was found to decrease with the increase in energy density. Smoke was observed when the components were sintered under an energy density above 0.09 J/mm~2, which suggests degradation of the PC powder. These specimens appeared slightly yellow and there was an increment in the surface roughness. Bonus Z and the chance of residual stress induced damages of the sintered specimens will increase with the applied energy density.