Selective Laser Sintering of Alumina-Boron Oxide Composites

The selection of an optimum composite system for selective laser sintering (SLS) is based on materials properties such as the melting point and the wettability between the components in the composite powder. The alumina-boron oxide composite system is attractive for SLS because the presence of the low melting component B203 (melting point 4500 C) can enhance sintering. A better wetting of solid alumina powder by molten boron oxide can also aid densification process. The alumina-boron oxide conlposite system has been investigated by SLS and selective laser reactive sintering (SLRS). The role of boron oxide content as a binder, laser power density, and secondary heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties is discussed.