In situ formation of TiC composite using selective laser melting

This paper studies the formation of composites using a CO2 laser machine fo r rapid prototyping fabrication. In this process, Cu-Ti-C and Cu-Ni-Ti-C po wder mixtures were milled before laser scanning. The ball-milled powder mix ture was layered and scanned under the laser beam. Formation of in situ TiC was detected after laser scanning. With addition of Ni, both the microstru cture structure and surface quality of the laser-fabricated parts can be im proved because of the improved melting of Cu and wettability of Cu with in situ TiC. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.