Papers
Measuring electrostatic properties for recoater process optimisation - 2020
Ribeyre Q., Francqui F., Lumay G., "Measuring electrostatic properties for recoater process optimisation". Euro PM 2018 Congress and Exhibition (2020).
Granular materials and metallic fine powders are widely used in many processes (Selective Laser Sintering SLS, Selective Laser Melting SLM and Electron Beam Melting EBM, …) [1]. To control and to optimize processing methods, these materials must be precisely characterized. The characterization methods are related either to the properties of the grains (size, chemical composition, …) and to the behaviour of the bulk powder (flowability, density, electrostatic properties, …). During these processes, powders need to have a good spreadability to create a homogeneous layer in the printers, however during this step, electrostatic charges may appear due to the triboelectric effect and lead to the formation of agglomerates and/or to powder sticking. In this paper, a new instrument able to measure with great accuracy (± 0.5nC) electrical charges acquired by powders during a flow in contact with various materials will be presented. The influence of powders ageing will be also investigated. © European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA).