Study on the Selective Laser Melting of CuSn(10) Powder

The selective laser melting of tin bronze (CuSn(10)) powder was performed with a laser energy density intensity level at 210, 220, and 230 J/mm(2). The composition was homogeneous with almost all tin dissolved into the matrix. The grain size of the obtained alpha copper phase was around 5 μm. The best properties were achieved at 220 J/mm(2) laser energy density with a density of 8.82 g/cm(3), hardness of 78.2 HRB (Rockwell Hardness measured on the B scale), yield strength of 399 MPa, tensile strength of 490 MPa, and an elongation that reached 19%. “Balling effect” appeared and resulted into a decrease of properties when the laser energy density increased to 230 J/mm(2).