Electromotive force measurements in the combustion wave front during layer-by-layer surface laser sintering of exothermic powder compositions

Abstract

Electric potentials arise between the combustion wave front and final products during layer-by-layer surface laser sintering of exothermic powder compositions (Ni–Ti, Ni–Al, Ti–Al). By using an analog–digital–analog converter to control the laser movement and hence the exothermic reaction itself, we show that near optimal conditions can be obtained for the formation of layered 3D articles. Comparative results of the structural-phase transformations that occur during laser-controlled SHS in related reaction-capable compositions are also presented.