U.S. patent application number 16/359202 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-03 for al- & mg-compatible blasting material for blast cleaning thereof based on alsc powder.
This patent application is currently assigned to Airbus Defence and Space GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is Airbus Defence and Space GmbH. Invention is credited to Frank Palm.
Application Number | 20190299362 16/359202 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65991620 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190299362 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Palm; Frank |
October 3, 2019 |
AL- & MG-COMPATIBLE BLASTING MATERIAL FOR BLAST CLEANING
THEREOF BASED ON ALSC POWDER
Abstract
A blasting medium for blasting a component, wherein the
component comprises Al and/or Mg, especially an Al and/or Mg alloy,
to a method of blasting a component, wherein the component
comprises Al and/or Mg, especially an Al and/or Mg alloy, and a
method of producing a blasting medium are described herein.
Inventors: |
Palm; Frank; (Unterhaching,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Airbus Defence and Space GmbH |
Taufkirchen |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Airbus Defence and Space
GmbH
Taufkirchen
DE
|
Family ID: |
65991620 |
Appl. No.: |
16/359202 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B22F 2009/0848 20130101;
B22F 2304/10 20130101; B22F 2301/052 20130101; C22C 23/02 20130101;
C22C 21/06 20130101; B24C 11/00 20130101; B22F 2301/058 20130101;
B22F 9/082 20130101; B24C 3/32 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B24C 11/00 20060101
B24C011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 27, 2018 |
DE |
102018204593.3 |
Claims
1. A blasting medium for blasting a component, wherein the
component comprises Al and/or Mg, wherein the blasting medium
comprises an Al and/or Mg alloy.
2. The blasting medium according to claim 1, wherein the blasting
medium comprises an AlSc alloy.
3. The blasting medium according to claim 1, wherein the blasting
medium comprises particles of the Al and/or Mg alloy having a size
of 45 .mu.m or more.
4. The blasting medium according to claim 1, wherein a content of
Sc in the blasting medium is at least 0.5% by weight, based on the
blasting medium.
5. The blasting medium according to claim 1, wherein the blasting
medium has been hardened by a heat treatment at a temperature of
250.degree. C.-400.degree. C. and/or within a period of 15-6000 min
and/or has a hardness of >150 HB.
6. A method of blasting a component, wherein the component
comprises Al and/or Mg, wherein the blasting medium comprises an Al
and/or Mg alloy, wherein the method comprises: blasting the
compound with the blasting medium.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the blasting medium
comprises an AlSc alloy.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the blasting medium
comprises particles of the Al and/or Mg alloy having a size of 45
.mu.m or more.
9. The method according to claim 6, wherein a content of Sc in the
blasting medium is at least 0.5% by weight, based on the blasting
medium.
10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the blasting medium
has been hardened by a heat treatment at a temperature of
250.degree. C.-400.degree. C. and/or within a period of 15-6000 min
and/or has a hardness of >150 HB.
11. The method according to claim 6, wherein the component has been
produced by a powder fusion method or a powder sintering method,
wherein the component further comprises a material of the same type
as the blasting medium.
12. The method of producing a blasting medium, wherein an Al and/or
Mg alloy is atomized from a melt, and a particle fraction is sieved
out of the particles thus produced.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein particles having a
size of 45 .mu.m or more, are sieved out of the particles produced
as blasting medium, wherein the sieved-out particles are hardened
at a temperature of 250.degree. C.-400.degree. C. and/or within a
period of 15-6000 min.
14. The method of producing a blasted component, wherein the
component comprises Al and/or Mg, wherein the component is produced
by a powder fusion method or a powder sintering method and is
blasted with a blasting medium according to claim 1.
15. A component, wherein the component comprises Al and/or Mg,
wherein the component is produced by a powder fusion method or a
powder sintering method and is blasted with a blasting medium
according to claim 1.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a blasting medium for
blasting a component, wherein the component comprises Al and/or Mg,
especially an Al and/or Mg alloy, to a method of blasting a
component, wherein the component comprises Al and/or Mg, especially
an Al and/or Mg alloy, and to a method of producing a blasting
medium.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Especially in the case of components which contain aluminium
or magnesium, for example Al and/or Mg alloys, and which have been
produced especially by means of a powder fusion method or a powder
sintering method, there should be removal of powder residues
adhering after the production in the machine, which can be
disadvantageous in a further processing operation, for example
owing to the roughness thus generated.
[0003] Typically, surfaces are freed of such components by means of
sandblasting or blasting with corundum. As an alternative, it is
also possible to use ceramic-based materials or grit for blasting,
and also, for example, materials based on iron alloys as described,
for example, in US2016375549.
[0004] However, the corresponding blasting media, in the case of
components containing aluminium or magnesium, especially Al, differ
from the material of the component and can lead to contamination
when, for example, blasting media get caught in the surface and/or
abraded material chemically contaminates the surfaces of the Al or
Mg components with non-alloy material, which can lead to corrosion
problems or strength problems. This is the case especially when
high-strength alloys such as AlMgSc alloys, for example
Scalmalloy.RTM. alloys, are blasted. Therefore, yet a further
pickling step may follow here in order to remove this blasting
material. However, such a step is associated with further cost and
inconvenience.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Against this background, a problem addressed by aspects of
the present invention is that of providing an improved method of
blasting a component comprising Al and/or Mg, and a blasting
material which can be used in such a method.
[0006] An idea underlying the present invention is that the
component comprising Al and/or Mg is blasted with a blasting medium
comprising an Al and/or Mg alloy, i.e. the blasting medium is of
the same type of material or at least similar to the material of
the component, which can reduce or even prevent contamination.
[0007] Advantageous configurations and developments will be
apparent from the description with reference to the figures.
[0008] Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific
expressions used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by a person skilled in the art in the field of the
invention.
[0009] Figures reported in the context of the present invention are
based on % by weight, unless otherwise stated or apparent from the
context. In the blasting medium according to the invention, the
percentages by weight add up to 100% by weight, unless otherwise
apparent from the context.
[0010] In the context of the invention, a blasting medium, also
referred to as blasting material, is an auxiliary which can be used
in blasting. It comprises a multitude of particles that typically
all consist essentially of the same material. In the context of the
invention, with regard to the blasting medium according to the
invention or to the methods according to the invention, the shape
of the particles of the blasting medium is not particularly
restricted, and the particles may be round, polygonal and/or
angular and are, for example, polygonal and angular. In the methods
according to the invention, the blasting medium typically has a
higher hardness than the component to be blasted, especially in
order that it can in fact fulfil its function. More particularly,
the blasting medium according to the invention consists of one
alloy or multiple alloys, especially one alloy, i.e. more
particularly does not comprise any ceramic components. The blasting
medium is especially used for cleaning and/or surface smoothing,
i.e. is a cleaning and/or surface smoothing blasting medium. More
particularly, the blasting medium according to the invention, in
particular embodiments, is chemically inert toward the material of
the component to be blasted, i.e. does not damage the component,
for example by corrosion.
[0011] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a
blasting medium for blasting a component, wherein the component
comprises Al and/or Mg, especially an Al and/or Mg alloy, wherein
the blasting medium comprises an Al and/or Mg alloy.
[0012] The component here is not particularly restricted, provided
that it comprises Al and/or Mg, especially Al, and may have any
shape and configuration. In particular embodiments, at least one
surface of the component to be blasted comprises Al and/or Mg,
especially an Al and/or Mg alloy, for example an alloy comprising
Al and Mg. In particular embodiments, the component consists
essentially of an Al and/or Mg alloy or consists of the Al and/or
Mg alloy. The Al and/or Mg alloy is not particularly restricted
here and may be, for example, an alloy of Al with a suitable
material, i.e., for example, a 1xxx, 2xxx, 3xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx,
7xxx or 8xxx alloy.
[0013] In particular embodiments, the component comprises Sc,
especially in an amount of 0.3% by weight or more, preferably 0.5%
by weight or more, for example 0.5-3% by weight of Sc, for example
0.7-0.8% by weight of Sc. In particular embodiments, the component
comprises an AlSc alloy, especially an AlMgSc alloy, and the
component preferably consists of an AlSc alloy, especially an
AlMgSc alloy, especially having an Sc content of 0.3% by weight or
more, preferably 0.5% by weight or more, for example 0.5-3% by
weight, for example 0.7-0.8% by weight.
[0014] As well as Al and/or Mg, the component, especially in
addition to Sc, may also comprise further alloy constituents that
are not particularly restricted. In particular embodiments, the
component comprises Zr and/or Mn. In particular embodiments, the
component comprises an AlSc alloy, especially an AlMgSc alloy,
comprising Zr and/or Mn, especially Zr, and especially consists of
such an alloy. The ratio of Zr to Sc here is especially within a
range from 1:10 to 2:1, preferably 1:7 to 1:1, further preferably
1:5 to 1:2. It is of course also possible, in particular
embodiments, for unavoidable impurities to be present.
[0015] In particular embodiments, the component has been produced
by a powder fusion method or a powder sintering method, preferably
by a laser powder bed fusion method. The powder fusion method and
the powder sintering method are not particularly restricted here,
and examples of such methods include selective laser sintering,
electron beam fusion or selective laser fusion, although the
methods are not particularly restricted. More particularly, the
component is produced by laser powder bed fusion (LBP-F), as used,
for example, for 3D printing. The method itself is again not
particularly restricted here. More particularly, the production is
effected with powders having a particle size of 20 to 75 .mu.m,
preferably 20 to 65 .mu.m, further preferably 20 to 45 .mu.m.
Corresponding powder fractions can be obtained correspondingly by a
sieve analysis with appropriate sieves having mesh sizes of 20
.mu.m, 45 .mu.m, 65 .mu.m, and 75 .mu.m, according to the desired
fraction.
[0016] The blasting medium is not particularly restricted either,
provided that it comprises an Al and/or Mg alloy.
[0017] A powder for the production of the blasting medium can be
produced by customary methods of producing powders for powder
metallurgy and/or for powder fusion methods or powder sintering
methods, preferably laser powder bed fusion methods, which are not
particularly restricted. For example, the powder for the production
of the blasting medium can be produced by atomizing a metal melt or
a melt of a metal alloy and separating of a suitable particle
fraction. In particular embodiments, the powder for the blasting
medium is produced by the same method as the material for the
production of the component. In particular embodiments, the powder
for the blasting medium and the powder for production of the
component are produced in the same method, especially in the same
method step, for example a powder production campaign, such that,
for example, the two powders from the production campaign can be
separated from one another, for example by sieving. More
particularly, particles of the powder produced that are not used
for the production of the component, for example on account of
particle size, are used for the production of the blasting medium.
More particularly, the particles for production of the blasting
medium are larger than the particles for production of the
component.
[0018] In particular embodiments, the blasting medium comprises Sc,
especially in an amount of 0.3% by weight or more, preferably 0.5%
by weight or more, for example 0.5-3% by weight of Sc, for example
0.7-0.8% by weight of Sc. In particular embodiments, the blasting
medium comprises an AlSc alloy, especially an AlMgSc alloy, and the
component preferably consists of an AlSc alloy, especially an
AlMgSc alloy, especially having an Sc content of 0.3% by weight or
more, preferably 0.5% by weight or more, for example 0.5-3% by
weight, for example 0.7-0.8% by weight. The particular advantage in
the use of such an alloy is that its chemical behaviour can be
essentially like that of pure aluminium.
[0019] As well as Al and/or Mg, the blasting medium, especially as
well as Sc, may also comprise further alloy constituents that are
not particularly restricted. In particular embodiments, the
blasting medium comprises Zr and/or Mn. In particular embodiments,
the blasting medium comprises an AlSc alloy, especially an AlMgSc
alloy, comprising Zr and/or Mn, especially Zr, and especially
consists of such an alloy. The ratio of Zr to Sc here is especially
within a range from 1:10 to 2:1, preferably 1:7 to 1:1, further
preferably 1:5 to 1:2. It is of course also possible in particular
embodiments for unavoidable impurities to be present.
[0020] In particular embodiments, the blasting medium comprises
particles of the Al and/or Mg alloy having a size of 45 .mu.m or
more, preferably 65 .mu.m or more, further preferably 75 .mu.m or
more, even further preferably at least 80 .mu.m, for example having
a particle size x of 45 .mu.m.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.200 .mu.m, preferably
65 .mu.m.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.200 .mu.m, further preferably 75
.mu.m.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.200 .mu.m, even further preferably 80
.mu.m.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.200 .mu.m, and especially preferably consists
of these. Corresponding particles may in turn be obtained, for
example, by a sieve analysis with sieves having mesh sizes of 45
.mu.m, 65 .mu.m, 75 .mu.m, 80 .mu.m, and 200 .mu.m, according to
the desired fraction. When the particles of the blasting medium are
too small, they create too little effect on blasting. When the
particles are too large, they are more difficult to accelerate
sufficiently for blasting to display a suitable effect.
[0021] In particular embodiments, the blasting medium has been
hardened by a heat treatment at a temperature of 250.degree.
C.-400.degree. C., preferably 275.degree. C.-350.degree. C.,
further preferably 300-325.degree. C., e.g. 325.degree. C., and/or
within a period of 15-6000 min, preferably 60 to 240 min, further
preferably 90 to 150 min, e.g. 120 min. In this way, the blasting
medium can be further solidified compared to untreated particles.
Especially when the blasting medium comprises Al and Sc, preferably
Al, Mg and Sc, precipitation hardening of the Sc can be effected
here, such that a coherent Al3Sc phase can form. When Zr is
additionally present, it is additionally possible for an Al3ScZr
phase to form, which can contribute further to the hardness of the
blasting medium. Preferably, the blasting medium has been hardened
by a heat treatment at a temperature of 250.degree. C.-400.degree.
C., preferably 275.degree. C.-350.degree. C., further preferably
300-325.degree. C., e.g. 325.degree. C., within a period of 15-6000
min, preferably 60 to 240 min, further preferably 90 to 150 min,
e.g. 120 min. In this context, preferably, the higher the
temperature for the heat treatment, the shorter the period of the
heat treatment.
[0022] In particular embodiments, the blasting medium has a
hardness of >150 HB. Hardness can be determined here in a
suitable manner, for example according to Brinell, for example in
accordance with EN ISO 6506 (EN ISO 6506-1 to EN ISO 6506-4).
[0023] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a
method of blasting a component, wherein the component comprises Al
and/or Mg, especially an Al and/or Mg alloy, wherein the blasting
medium comprises an Al and/or Mg alloy, wherein the component is
blasted with the blasting medium. In particular embodiments, the
blasting medium in this method is especially the blasting medium
according to the invention.
[0024] In particular embodiments, the blasting medium comprises an
AlSc alloy, preferably an AlMgSc alloy.
[0025] In particular embodiments, the blasting medium comprises
particles of the Al and/or Mg alloy having a size of 45 .mu.m or
more, preferably 65 .mu.m or more, further preferably 75 .mu.m or
more, even further preferably at least 80 .mu.m, for example having
a particle size x of 45 .mu.m.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.200 .mu.m, preferably
65 .mu.m.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.200 .mu.m, further preferably 75
.mu.m.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.200 .mu.m, even further preferably 80
.mu.m.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.200 .mu.m, and especially preferably consists
of these. Corresponding particles can in turn be obtained, for
example, by a sieve analysis with sieves having mesh sizes of 45
.mu.m, 65 .mu.m, 75 .mu.m, 80 .mu.m, and 200 .mu.m, according to
the desired fraction.
[0026] In particular embodiments, a content of Sc in the blasting
medium is at least 0.5% by weight, based on the blasting
medium.
[0027] In particular embodiments, the blasting medium has been
hardened by a heat treatment at a temperature of 250.degree.
C.-400.degree. C., preferably 275.degree. C.-350.degree. C.,
further preferably 300-325.degree. C., e.g. 325.degree. C., and/or
within a period of 15-6000 min, preferably 60 to 240 min, further
preferably 90 to 150 min, e.g. 120 min. In particular embodiments,
the blasting medium has a hardness of >150 HB.
[0028] In particular embodiments, the component has been produced
by a powder fusion method or a powder sintering method, preferably
by a laser powder bed fusion method.
[0029] In particular embodiments, the component consists of a
material of the same kind as and/or a similar material to the
blasting medium. The component preferably consists of the same
material as the blasting medium.
[0030] In particular embodiments, an Al and/or Mg alloy is atomized
from a melt and a particle fraction is sieved out of the particles
thus produced.
[0031] In particular embodiments, particles having a size of 45
.mu.m or more, preferably 65 .mu.m or more, further preferably 75
.mu.m or more, even further preferably at least 80 .mu.m, for
example having a particle size x of 45 .mu.m.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.200
.mu.m, preferably 65 .mu.m.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.200 .mu.m, further
preferably 75 .mu.m.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.200 .mu.m, even further
preferably 80 .mu.m.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.200 .mu.m, are sieved out of
the particles produced as blasting medium. Corresponding particles
can be obtained, for example, by sieving with sieves having mesh
sizes of 45 .mu.m, 65 .mu.m, 75 .mu.m, 80 .mu.m, and 200 .mu.m,
according to the desired fraction.
[0032] In particular embodiments, the sieved-out particles are
hardened at a temperature of 250.degree. C.-400.degree. C.,
preferably 275.degree. C.-350.degree. C., further preferably
300-325.degree. C., e.g. 325.degree. C., and/or within a period of
15-6000 min, preferably 60 to 240 min, further preferably 90 to 150
min, e.g. 120 min. Preferably, the sieved-out particles are
hardened by a heat treatment at a temperature of 250.degree.
C.-400.degree. C., preferably 275.degree. C.-350.degree. C.,
further preferably 300-325.degree. C., e.g. 325.degree. C., within
a period of 15-6000 min, preferably 60 to 240 min, further
preferably 90 to 150 min, e.g. 120 min.
[0033] In particular embodiments, the particles for production of
the component can be sieved out of the remaining particles, for
example as specified above.
[0034] One advantage of this method of the invention here is that
the blasting medium can be separated off again by sieving after the
blasting of the component and hence reused, for example in another
blasting process or blasting method.
[0035] In yet a further aspect, the present invention relates to a
method of producing a blasted component, wherein the component
comprises Al and/or Mg, especially an Al and/or Mg alloy, wherein
the component is produced by a powder fusion method or a powder
sintering method and is blasted with the blasting medium of the
invention.
[0036] The component is not particularly restricted here, provided
that it comprises Al and/or Mg, especially Al, and may have any
shape and configuration. In particular embodiments, at least one
surface of the component to be blasted comprises Al and/or Mg,
especially an Al and/or Mg alloy, for example an alloy comprising
Al and Mg. In particular embodiments, the component consists
essentially of an Al and/or Mg alloy or consists of the Al and/or
Mg alloy. The Al and/or Mg alloy is not particularly restricted
here and may be, for example, an alloy of Al with a suitable
material, i.e., for example, a 1xxx, 2xxx, 3xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx,
7xxx or 8xxx alloy.
[0037] In particular embodiments, the component comprises Sc,
especially in an amount of 0.3% by weight or more, preferably 0.5%
by weight or more, for example 0.5-3% by weight Sc, for example
0.7-0.8% by weight Sc. In particular embodiments, the component
comprises an AlSc alloy, especially an AlMgSc alloy, and the
component preferably consists of an AlSc alloy, especially an
AlMgSc alloy, especially having an Sc content of 0.3% by weight or
more, preferably 0.5% by weight or more, for example 0.5-3% by
weight, for example 0.7-0.8% by weight.
[0038] As well as Al and/or Mg, the component, especially as well
as Sc, may also comprise further alloy constituents that are not
particularly restricted. In particular embodiments, the component
comprises Zr and/or Mn. In particular embodiments, the component
comprises an AlSc alloy, especially an AlMgSc alloy, comprising Zr
and/or Mn, especially Zr, and especially consists of such an alloy.
The ratio of Zr to Sc here is especially within a range from 1:10
to 2:1, preferably 1:7 to 1:1, further preferably 1:5 to 1:2.
[0039] The component has been produced by a powder fusion method or
a powder sintering method, preferably by a laser powder bed fusion
method. The powder fusion method and the powder sintering method
are not particularly restricted, and examples of such methods
include selective laser sintering, electron beam fusion or
selective laser fusion, although the methods are not particularly
restricted. More particularly, the component is produced by laser
powder bed fusion (LBP-F), as used, for example, for 3D printing.
The method itself is again not particularly restricted here. More
particularly, the production is effected with powders having a
particle size of 20 to 75 .mu.m, preferably 20 to 65 .mu.m, further
preferably 20 to 45 .mu.m. Corresponding powder fractions can be
obtained correspondingly by sieve analysis with appropriate sieves
having mesh sizes of 20 .mu.m, 45 .mu.m, 65 .mu.m, and 75 .mu.m,
according to the desired fraction.
[0040] In particular embodiments, the powder for the blasting
medium is produced by the same method as the material for the
production of the component. In particular embodiments, the powder
for the blasting medium and the powder for production of the
component are produced in the same method, especially in the same
method step, for example a powder production campaign, such that,
for example, the two powders from the production campaign can be
separated from one another, for example by sieving. More
particularly, particles of the powder produced that are not used
for the production of the component, for example on account of
particle size, are used for the production of the blasting medium.
More particularly, the particles for production of the blasting
medium are larger than the particles for production of the
component.
[0041] Additionally disclosed is a component, wherein the component
comprises Al and/or Mg, especially an Al and/or Mg alloy, wherein
the component is produced by a powder fusion method or a powder
sintering method and is blasted with the blasting medium according
to the invention.
[0042] The component here is again not particularly restricted,
provided that it comprises Al and/or Mg, especially Al, and may
have any shape and configuration. In particular embodiments, at
least one surface of the component to be blasted comprises Al
and/or Mg, especially an Al and/or Mg alloy, for example an alloy
comprising Al and Mg. In particular embodiments, the component
consists essentially of an Al and/or Mg alloy or consists of the Al
and/or Mg alloy. The Al and/or Mg alloy is not particularly
restricted here and may, for example, be an alloy of Al with a
suitable material, i.e., for example, a 1xxx, 2xxx, 3xxx, 4xxx,
5xxx, 6xxx, 7xxx or 8xxx alloy.
[0043] In particular embodiments, the component comprises Sc,
especially in an amount of 0.3% by weight or more, preferably 0.5%
by weight or more, for example 0.5-3% by weight of Sc, for example
0.7-0.8% by weight of Sc. In particular embodiments, the component
comprises an AlSc alloy, especially an AlMgSc alloy, and the
component preferably consists of an AlSc alloy, especially an
AlMgSc alloy, especially having an Sc content of 0.3% by weight or
more, preferably 0.5% by weight or more, for example 0.5-3% by
weight, for example 0.7-0.8% by weight.
[0044] As well as Al and/or Mg, the component, especially as well
as Sc, may also comprise further alloy constituents that are not
particularly restricted. In particular embodiments, the component
comprises Zr and/or Mn. In particular embodiments, the component
comprises an AlSc alloy, especially an AlMgSc alloy, comprising Zr
and/or Mn, especially Zr, and especially consists of such an alloy.
The ratio of Zr to Sc here is especially within a range from 1:10
to 2:1, preferably 1:7 to 1:1, further preferably 1:5 to 1:2.
[0045] The component has been produced by a powder fusion method or
a powder sintering method, preferably by a laser powder bed fusion
method. The powder fusion method and the powder sintering method
are not particularly restricted, and examples of such methods
include selective laser sintering, electron beam fusion or
selective laser fusion, although the methods are not particularly
restricted. More particularly, the component is produced by laser
powder bed fusion (LBP-F), as used, for example, for 3D printing.
The method itself is again not particularly restricted here. More
particularly, the production is effected with powders having a
particle size of 20 to 75 .mu.m, preferably 20 to 65 .mu.m, further
preferably 20 to 45 .mu.m. Corresponding powder fractions can be
obtained correspondingly by sieve analysis with appropriate sieves
having mesh sizes of 20 .mu.m, 45 .mu.m, 65 .mu.m, and 75 .mu.m,
according to the desired fraction.
[0046] In particular embodiments, the powder for the blasting
medium is produced by the same method as the material for the
production of the component. In particular embodiments, the powder
for the blasting medium and the powder for production of the
component are produced in the same method, especially in the same
method step, for example a powder production campaign, such that,
for example, the two powders from the production campaign can be
separated from one another, for example by sieving. More
particularly, particles of the powder produced that are not used
for the production of the component, for example on account of
particle size, are used for the production of the blasting medium.
More particularly, the particles for production of the blasting
medium are larger than the particles for production of the
component.
[0047] The above configurations and developments can, if viable, be
combined with one another as desired. Further possible
configurations, developments and implementations of the invention
also include combinations not explicitly mentioned of features of
the invention described above or hereinafter with regard to the
working examples. More particularly, the person skilled in the art
will also add on individual aspects as improvements or
supplementations to the respective basic form of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] The present invention is elucidated in detail hereinafter by
the working examples given in the schematic figures. The figure
shows:
[0049] FIG. 1 a schematic of a method of producing a component,
wherein the component is blasted with the blasting medium of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] The appended figures are intended to impart further
understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate
embodiments and, in connection with the description, serve to
elucidate principles and concepts of the invention. Other
embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned are apparent with
regard to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not
necessarily shown true to scale in relation to one another.
[0051] In the figures of the drawing, elements, features and
components that are the same, have the same function and have the
same effect--unless stated otherwise--are each given the same
reference numerals.
[0052] FIG. 1 shows, in schematic form, a procedure by which, in a
method, an illustrative component and an illustrative blasting
medium can be produced and the component can be blasted with the
blasting medium.
[0053] In an illustrative production method for a blasted component
according to the invention and also the production of a blasting
material according to the invention, in a first step 1, a melt
comprising Al, Mg and Sc is produced. One example of such a melt is
a melt of AlMg.sub.4.5Sc.sub.0.75Zr.sub.0.3, which can be produced,
for example, at a temperature of about 800.degree. C. In one step,
atomizing of the melt comprising Al, Mg and Sc, i.e., for example,
of the AlMg.sub.4.5Sc.sub.0.75Zr.sub.0.3 melt, takes place, which
is not particularly restricted. The result here is a powder of the
alloy, which is referred to hereinafter as AlMgSc powder. In a
subsequent step 3, the AlMgSc powder produced is separated and
sieved out. Then, in step 4, the separated powder fractions can be
used to produce a component using a first powder fraction and to
provide a further powder fraction for production of a blasting
medium. For example, a fraction having a particle size of less than
20 .mu.m can be separated from the AlMgSc powder, and this can be
fed in turn, for example, to step 1, since the particles of the
fraction may be too small for the production of a component. A
further fraction may, for example, have a particle size within a
range of 20 to <65 .mu.m, which is used for production of a
component by means of a laser powder bed fusion method (which is
not particularly restricted). A further, third fraction of the
powder having a particle size of, for example, 65 .mu.m or more,
e.g. 75 .mu.m-200 .mu.m, can then be used to produce a blasting
medium. In step 5, this further, third powder fraction is then
hardened to produce the blasting medium, for example at a
temperature of 325.degree. C. for a period of 120 min. This makes
the blasting medium harder than the component, such that it is of
good suitability for abrasive blast cleaning. In step 6, the
component produced in step 4 is blasted with the blasting medium
produced in step 5, for example for a blast cleaning and/or blast
smoothing operation and/or consolidation blasting of the component
produced by means of the laser powder bed fusion method. This
production step 6 may followed by an optional step 7 in which the
blasting medium is reused or utilized again, for example by
separating it off again by sieving after the blasting.
[0054] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present
invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that
modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing
from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to
cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s).
In addition, in this disclosure, the terms "comprise" or
"comprising" do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms "a"
or "one" do not exclude a plural number, and the term "or" means
either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have
been described may also be used in combination with other
characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or
context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by
reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from
which it claims benefit or priority.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0055] 1 Production of a melt comprising Al, Mg and Sc [0056] 2
Atomizing of the melt comprising Al, Mg and Sc [0057] 3 Separating
and sieving-out of the AlMgSc powder obtained [0058] 4 Production
of a component using a powder fraction and provision of a further
powder fraction for production of a blasting medium [0059] 5
Hardening of the further powder fraction to produce the blasting
medium [0060] 6 Blasting of the component with the blasting medium
[0061] 7 Optionally reuse of the blasting medium
* * * * *