Effect of mechanical alloying on selective laser sintering of WC-9Co powder

Experiments on the laser sintering of single two-dimensional hardmetal powd er layers have been conducted in an attempt to identify optimum powder prop erties and laser parameters. Use of mechanical alloyed powders was found to improve the density and surface finish of sintered layers relative to the properties obtained by Turbula mixed powders. Methods of improving the pack ing density of the, powder layer will be desirable to further the developme nt of effective rapid prototyping.