Feasibility of using laser enabled net shaping to manufacture WC-Fe alloys

Abstract

Laser Enabled Net Shaping technology in the manufacture of cemented tungsten carbides is challenging and many scientific gaps still need to be addressed to ensure commercial viability. In this study the feasibility of using LENS® to produce cemented tungsten carbides having a steel binder was investigated. A full factorial design of experiments (DoE) was used in order to configure the LENS® process parameters which were varied, namely, powder feed rate, traverse speed, and laser power. Single wall samples were deposited and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Vickers micro-hardness, surface roughness measurements, and porosity of the samples were also done.