Selektives Laser Mikro Schmelzen von Platin-Iridium Legierungen

Abstract

Due to their outstanding biological and electrical properties, platinum-iridium alloys are used particularly in complex biomedical implants such as heart pacemakers. To extend its field of application, manufacturing feasibility using Selective Laser Micro Melting (SLμM) of platinum-iridium alloys was analysed for the first-time. The manufacturing process was performed using an automated SLμM laboratory setup including a 50 Watt fibre laser and a substrate preheating device. A platinum-iridium powder alloy with particle sizes below 30 μm was applied. It was found that the adverse wetting behaviour of the molten platinum-iridium alloy requires preheating of the substrate material up to 600 °C. Hence, homogeneous molten layers with complete metallurgical interconnection could be produced repeatable.