Poly(dodecano-12-lactam) (commercially known as polyamide “PA12”) is one of the most resourceful materials used in the selective laser sintering (SLS) process due to its chemical and physical properties. The present work examined the influence of two SLS parameters, namely, laser power and hatch orientation, on the tensile, structural, thermal, and morphological properties of the fabricated PA12 parts. The main objective was to evaluate the suitable laser power and hatching orientation with respect to obtaining better final properties. PA12 powders and SLS-printed parts were assessed through their particle size distributions, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and their tensile properties. The results showed that the significant impact of the laser power while hatching is almost unnoticeable when using a high laser power. A more significant condition of the mechanical properties is the uniformity of the powder bed temperature. Optimum factor levels were achieved at 95% laser power and parallel/perpendicular hatching. Parts produced with the optimized SLS parameters were then subjected to an annealing treatment to induce a relaxation of the residual stress and to enhance the crystallinity. The results showed that annealing the SLS parts at 170 °C for 6 h significantly improved the thermal, structural, and tensile properties of 3D-printed PA12 parts.

The AlSi7Mg0.6 alloy, with its good tolerance against strain, is used in laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) to produce parts with complex geometries for aerospace engineering. Production of parts with good mechanical strength requires, however, the optimization of laser parameters. This study thus evaluated the influence of scanning speed, laser power, and strategy on several mechanical properties (tensile/resilience/hardness) to identify an optimal processing region. Results have shown the profound influence of laser power and scanning speed on mechanical properties, with a limited influence from the laser strategy. Tensile strength values ranging from 122 to 394 MPa were obtained, while Young’s Modulus varied from 17 to 29 GPa, and the elongation at break ranged from 2.1 to 9.8%. Surface plots of each property against laser power and speed revealed a region of higher mechanical properties. This region is found when using 50 µm thick layers for energy densities between 25 and 35 J/mm³. Operating at higher values of energy density yielded sub-optimal properties, while a lower energy density resulted in poor performances. Results have shown that any optimization strategy must not only account for the volumic energy density value, but also for laser power itself when thick layers are used for fabrication. This was shown through parts exhibiting reduced mechanical performances that were produced within the optimal energy density range, but at low laser power. By combining mid-speed and power within the optimal region, parts with good microstructure and limited defects such as balling, keyhole pores, and hot cracking will be produced. Heat-treating AlSi7Mg0.6 parts to T6 temper negatively affected mechanical performances. Adapted tempering conditions are thus required if improvements are sought through tempering.