Selective laser sintering - II. Sintering multilayer refractory composites

Processes are considered in the selective laser sintering of multilayer com posites based on TiN-TiB2 refractory powder mixtures, hard-alloy material o f TN20 type, and a steel substrate. Selectivity of the process, which is ex pressed in the behavior of the multilayer composite material in sintering r egimes that differ in laser power input, is demonstrated. At low power inpu t, the layers of refractory alloys shrink appreciably mainly because of cap illary infiltration of the liquid from the hard-alloy layer, which lies ben eath it. At high power, the consolidation of the refractory mixture is due mainly to the formation of an eutectic.