Process parameters analysis of direct laser sintering and post treatment of porcelain components using Taguchi's method

The effects of laser sintering parameters (laser power, scan speed and hatching space) and post sintering process (heating rate, sintering temperature and holding time) on the physical and mechanical properties of porcelain components have been investigated. The study has been carried out using the Taguchi's method for the experimental design. In the laser sintering process, lower laser energy density and higher hatching space will increase the final mechanical properties of the porcelain components. A stress relief principle has been put forward to explain the different influence of the factors. The appropriate laser sintering parameters are attained in this paper: laser power 50 W; scan speed 85 mm/s; and hatching space 0.6 mm. Sintering temperature has been determined to be the most important factor in the post sintering process. Appropriate sintering temperature for the laser sintered porcelain bodies is in the range of 1425–1475 °C regarding the mechanical properties of the porcelain components. The maximum bending strength, 34.0 ± 4.9 MPa, is reached.