3 ms·
Yes, tensile strength and metal composition. A modern engine block is far more complex then a simple milled piece of steel.
by rpmisms 7y ago
Yes, tensile strength and metal composition. A modern engine block is far more complex then a simple milled piece of steel.
- bumby 7y agoSintering != milling. It is not uncommon for engine components to be milled. I guess what I'm asking is if there are properties inherit in sintering (e.g., crystalline structure) that make it unsuitable for engine components. You mentioned tensile strength and composition, are you alluding to the fact that specific alloys can't be used in laser sintering or that the process itself creates inferior composition?
- rpmisms 7y agoThe latter, although many common sintering alloys simply couldn't meet the requirements to be an engine block. The crystalline structure caused by the unique thermal process of sintering creates a far less stable structure, especially against thermal stress, which is less than ideal for a combustion engine. In my original comment, I meant to say forging. You could sinter and then forge, which could work.
- bumby 7y agoAny background sources on that? I'm curious because SpaceX is using 3D printing for some of their engine components