Multi Jet Fusion PA12 Manufacturing Parameters for Watertightness, Strength and Tolerances

• Main Authors: Sergio Morales-Planas, Joaquim Minguella-Canela, Jordi Lluma-Fuentes, Jose Antonio Travieso-Rodriguez, Andrés-Amador García-Granada
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-08-01
• Series: Materials
• Subjects: porosity; Multi Jet Fusion; fluid handling; watertightness; 3D printing; anisotropy; printing orientation; water pressure; leakage
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/11/8/1472

The aim of this paper is to explore the watertightness behaviour for high pressure applications using Multi Jet Fusion technology and polyamide 12 as a material. We report an efficient solution for manufacturing functional prototypes and final parts for water pressure applications and provide manufacturing rules for engineers in the pressurized product development process for up to 10 MPa of nominal pressure. The research findings show manufacturers the possibility of using additive manufacturing as an alternative to traditional manufacturing. Water leakage was studied using different printing orientations and wall thicknesses for a range of pressure values. An industrial ball valve was printed and validated with the ISO 9393 standard as also meeting tolerance requirements. This paper is a pioneering approach to the additive manufacturing of high-performance fluid handling components. This approach solves the problem of leakage caused by porosity in additive manufacturing technologies.