Direct selective laser sintering of WC-CO cemented carbide by premixing of additives

In this study, the fabrication conditions of WC cemented carbides by direct selective laser melting were investigated. The effects of additives, such as Co, Cu-20%Sn and Cu powders, and laser scanning conditions on laser sintering process were examined to fabricate a sound laser-scanned body of WC cemented carbides. The optimum laser power, scan speed and scan pitch were found out by experiments. It was found that the continuously smooth single-scan track can be obtained at a lower laser power and a higher scan speed by the addition of 30% Cu powder. The smooth surface of the laser-scanned body could be fabricated at a laser power of 9 W, a scan speed of 20 mm/s and a scan pitch of 0.05 mm.