Densification of Selective Laser Sintered Metal Part by Hot Isostatic Pressing

Metal matrix alloy composite parts were made from powders by Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). In this study, partially dense (60%-80%) metal parts made by SLS were densified to full density (>98%) by hot isostatic pressing (HIPping) without any loss of shape. HIPping was done by vacuum sealing SLS samples in glass capsules. HIPping parameters, such as, temperature, pressure, and time, were studied with respect to density, linear shrinkage, and microstructures. Anisotropy in linear shrinkage was correlated to the SLS processing parameters. Densification resulting from HIPping was correlated to microstructures and theoretical HIP densification maps. A detailed analysis of such maps is presented.