Influence of process parameters for Selective Laser Melting on the roughness of 3D printed surfaces in Co-Cr dental alloy powder

Modern technologies of Additive Manufacturing type allow for the obtaining of the metal components specific to medical prosthetics in the best conditions. Selective Laser Melting (SLM) method is frequently used in dental medicine since there is an obvious trend to replace the classical casting techniques especially for non-noble Co-Cr alloys. According to the values of processing parameters (SLM) there will be parts having different roughness of the exterior surfaces. The conducted studies analysed the influences exercised by three process parameters (laser power – P, scan speed – v_scan and exposure time – t_e) on roughness amplitude expressed by value (Ra). By combining the three distinct values adopted for each parameter we made nine sets of lamellar samples on whose non sandblasted surface, surface sandblasted once and surface sandblasted in two successive stages we carried out roughness measurements. Based on the results obtained for (Ra) parameter we formulated some recommendations for the technological parameter values that may provide surface roughness adequate to the subsequent destination of the processed parts (SLM).