Impact of the LACKS of Fusion Induced by Additive Manufacturing on the Lubrication of a Gear Flank

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is becoming a more and more widespread technology. Its capability to produce complex geometries opens new design possibilities. Despite the big efforts made by the scientific community for improving the AM processes, this technology still has some limitations, mainly rela...

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Main Authors: Franco Concli, Augusto Della Torre
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
Series:Lubricants
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4442/9/8/83
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author Franco Concli
Augusto Della Torre
author_facet Franco Concli
Augusto Della Torre
author_sort Franco Concli
collection DOAJ
description Additive Manufacturing (AM) is becoming a more and more widespread technology. Its capability to produce complex geometries opens new design possibilities. Despite the big efforts made by the scientific community for improving the AM processes, this technology still has some limitations, mainly related to the achievable surface quality. It is known that AM technologies promote the formation of LACKS of fusion inside the material. In some cases, the external surfaces are finished with traditional machining. This is the case of AM-produced gears. While the grinding operation aims to reduce the surface roughness, the presence of porosities just below the surface of the wrought component, could lead, after grinding, to the exposure of those porosities leading to a pitted surface. This phenomenon is surely not beneficial in terms of structural resistance, but can help the lubrication promoting the clinging of the lubricant to the surface. The aim of this paper is to study this effect. Micro-Computer-Tomography (μ-CT) analyses were performed on a 17-4 PH Stainless Steel (SS) produced via Selective Laser Melting (SLM). The real geometry of the pores was reproduced virtually and analyzed by means of multiphase CFD analyses in the presence of centrifugal effects.
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spelling doaj.art-bbcd72be16694f94a793ed41e7d1e8202023-11-22T08:24:14ZengMDPI AGLubricants2075-44422021-08-01988310.3390/lubricants9080083Impact of the LACKS of Fusion Induced by Additive Manufacturing on the Lubrication of a Gear FlankFranco Concli0Augusto Della Torre1Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano/Bozen, 39100 Bolzano, ItalyPolitecnico di Milano, Department of Energy, 20156 Milano, ItalyAdditive Manufacturing (AM) is becoming a more and more widespread technology. Its capability to produce complex geometries opens new design possibilities. Despite the big efforts made by the scientific community for improving the AM processes, this technology still has some limitations, mainly related to the achievable surface quality. It is known that AM technologies promote the formation of LACKS of fusion inside the material. In some cases, the external surfaces are finished with traditional machining. This is the case of AM-produced gears. While the grinding operation aims to reduce the surface roughness, the presence of porosities just below the surface of the wrought component, could lead, after grinding, to the exposure of those porosities leading to a pitted surface. This phenomenon is surely not beneficial in terms of structural resistance, but can help the lubrication promoting the clinging of the lubricant to the surface. The aim of this paper is to study this effect. Micro-Computer-Tomography (μ-CT) analyses were performed on a 17-4 PH Stainless Steel (SS) produced via Selective Laser Melting (SLM). The real geometry of the pores was reproduced virtually and analyzed by means of multiphase CFD analyses in the presence of centrifugal effects.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4442/9/8/83CFDadditive manufacturinglubricationOpenFOAM<sup>®</sup>17-4 PH SS
spellingShingle Franco Concli
Augusto Della Torre
Impact of the LACKS of Fusion Induced by Additive Manufacturing on the Lubrication of a Gear Flank
Lubricants
CFD
additive manufacturing
lubrication
OpenFOAM<sup>®</sup>
17-4 PH SS
title Impact of the LACKS of Fusion Induced by Additive Manufacturing on the Lubrication of a Gear Flank
title_full Impact of the LACKS of Fusion Induced by Additive Manufacturing on the Lubrication of a Gear Flank
title_fullStr Impact of the LACKS of Fusion Induced by Additive Manufacturing on the Lubrication of a Gear Flank
title_full_unstemmed Impact of the LACKS of Fusion Induced by Additive Manufacturing on the Lubrication of a Gear Flank
title_short Impact of the LACKS of Fusion Induced by Additive Manufacturing on the Lubrication of a Gear Flank
title_sort impact of the lacks of fusion induced by additive manufacturing on the lubrication of a gear flank
topic CFD
additive manufacturing
lubrication
OpenFOAM<sup>®</sup>
17-4 PH SS
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4442/9/8/83
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