POWDER FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, AND DIE-CASTING DIE PART

Abstract

The present invention relates to a powder for additive manufacturing, having a composition consisting of, in mass %: 0.25<C<0.40, 0.001Si0.15, 0.30Mn0.45, 5.0Cr5.5, 1.0Mo1.5, 0.35V0.45, 0.01N0.05, 0.01O0.04, and optionally, P<0.10, Cu<0.20, Ni<0.20, Al<0.05, Zr<0.05, S<0.20, Pb<0.20, Bi<0.20, Nb<0.20, Ti<0.20, B<0.10, and Co<0.20, with the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities, in which a surface of the powder for additive manufacturing is coated with an oxide film, and the oxide film has a thickness of 3 nm or more and 30 nm or less.

Claims

1. A powder for additive manufacturing, having a composition consisting of, in mass %: 0.25<C<0.40, 0.001Si0.15, 0.30Mn0.45, 5.0Cr5.5, 1.0Mo1.5, 0.35V0.45, 0.01N0.05, 0.01O0.04, and optionally, P<0.10, Cu<0.20, Ni<0.20, Al<0.05, Zr<0.05, S<0.20, Pb<0.20, Bi<0.20, Nb<0.20, Ti<0.20, B<0.10, and Co<0.20, with the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities, wherein a surface of the powder for additive manufacturing is coated with an oxide film, and the oxide film has a thickness of 3 nm or more and 30 nm or less.

2. The powder for additive manufacturing according to claim 1, comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of, in mass %: 0.001<Al<0.05, and 0.001<Zr<0.05.

3. The powder for additive manufacturing according to claim 1, comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of, in mass %: 0.001<S<0.20, 0.001<Pb<0.20, and 0.001<Bi<0.20.

4. The powder for additive manufacturing according to claim 2, comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of, in mass %: 0.001<S<0.20, 0.001<Pb<0.20, and 0.001<Bi<0.20.

5. A die-casting die part obtained by additive-manufacturing the powder for additive manufacturing according to claim 1.

6. A die-casting die part obtained by additive-manufacturing the powder for additive manufacturing according to claim 2.

7. A die-casting die part obtained by additive-manufacturing the powder for additive manufacturing according to claim 3.

8. A die-casting die part obtained by additive-manufacturing the powder for additive manufacturing according to claim 4.

Description

EMBODIMENTS

[0050] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[1. Powder for Additive Manufacturing]

[1.1. Components]

[1.1.1. Main Constituent Elements]

[0051] A powder for additive manufacturing according to the present invention contains the following elements with the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities. Kinds of additive elements, component ranges of the elements, and reasons for limiting the ranges will be described below. In the present specification, the values of each chemical component are expressed in mass % basis unless otherwise indicated.

(1) 0.25<C<0.40

[0052] C is an element having effects of increasing hardness of an additive-manufactured product and improving heat check resistance. The C content has to exceed 0.25 mass % to achieve a high heat check resistance. The C content is preferably 0.28 mass % or higher.

[0053] On the other hand, when the C content is excessive, toughness of the additive-manufactured product is lowered. Therefore, the C content has to be lower than 0.40 mass %. The C content is preferably 0.38 mass % or lower.

(2) 0.001Si0.15

[0054] Si is an element having an effect of reducing thermal conductivity of the additive-manufactured product. The Si content has to be 0.15 mass % or lower in order to obtain high thermal conductivity.

[0055] On the other hand, Si also serves as deoxidizer. When the Si content is too low, deoxidation is insufficient. Accordingly, the Si content has to be 0.001 mass % or higher. The Si content is preferably 0.03 mass % or higher.

(3) 0.30Mn0.45

[0056] Mn is an element having an effect of improving hardenability. In order to obtain high hardenability, the Mn content has to be 0.30 mass % or higher. The Mn content is preferably 0.33 mass % or higher.

[0057] On the other hand, due to a very small region melted and solidified, a melt region has a relatively fast cooling rate in the additive-manufactured product. That is, the additive-manufactured product is substantially quenched when solidified. Therefore, even if Mn more than necessary is added, no more effect can be obtained. Mn more than necessary is of no practical use. Accordingly, the Mn content has to be 0.45 mass % or lower. The Mn content is preferably 0.42 mass % or lower.

(4) 5.0Cr5.5

[0058] Cr is an element having an effect of improving rust resistance in the surface of the water-cooling circuit. In order to obtain high rust resistance, the Cr content has to be 5.0 mass % or higher. The Cr content is preferably 5.2 mass % or higher.

[0059] On the other hand, when the Cr content is excessive, thermal conductivity of the additive-manufactured product is lowered. Therefore, the Cr content has to be 5.5 mass % or lower. The Cr content is preferably 5.4 mass % or lower.

(5) 1.0Mo1.5

[0060] Mo is an element having an effect of improving resistance to high temperature. In order to obtain high resistance to high temperature, the Mo content has to be 1.0 mass % or higher. The Mo content is preferably 1.1 mass % or higher.

[0061] On the other hand, when the Mo content is excessive, toughness may be low enough to allow cracking to occur at a corner portion of the water-cooling circuit. Therefore, the Mo content has to be 1.5 mass % or lower. The Mo content is preferably 1.3 mass % or lower.

(6) 0.35V0.45

[0062] V is an element having an effect of secondarily hardening the additive-manufactured product when the additive-manufactured product is tempered at high temperature. In order to obtain high hardness, the V content has to be 0.35 mass % or higher.

[0063] On the other hand, when the V content is excessive, coarse carbide tends to be formed when the additive-manufactured product is solidified. The coarse carbide tends to serve as a start point of cracking. Therefore, the V content has to be 0.45 mass % or lower. The V content is preferably 0.42 mass % or lower.

(7) 0.01N0.05 mass %

[0064] N is an element that may be contained unavoidably. In a solid solution, N is also an element contributing to improvement of hardness in the same manner as C. In order to obtain such an effect, the N content has to be 0.01 mass % or higher. On the other hand, when the N content is excessive, coarse carbonitride tends to be formed. The coarse carbonitride tends to serve as a start point of cracking. Therefore, the N content has to be 0.05 mass % or lower.

(8) 0.01<_O<_0.04

[0065] O is an element having an effect of forming oxide in the surface of the powder to thereby inhibit aggregation of the powder (that is, an effect of improving the powder conveyance performance of the additive-manufacturing machine). In order to obtain such an effect, the O content has to be 0.01 mass% or higher. On the other hand, when the O content is excessive, a layer of the oxide has an excessive thickness. The thick oxide layer tends to form oxide in the additive-manufactured product to thereby serve as a start point of cracking. Therefore, the O content has to be 0.04 mass % or lower.

[1.1.2. Optional Constituent Elements]

[0066] The powder for additive manufacturing according to the present invention may further contain one or more elements as follows. Kinds of additive elements, component ranges of the elements, and reasons for limiting the ranges will be described below.

(9) P<0.10;

(10) Cu<0.20; and

(11) Ni<0.20

[0067] Those elements are elements contained in raw material scraps. The elements may be contained as long as they are lower than the aforementioned contents respectively.

(12) 0.001<Al<0.05; and

(13) 0.001<Zr<0.05

[0068] Each of Al and Zr has an effect of forming a dense oxide film in the surface of the powder. In order to obtain such an effect, each of the Al content and the Zr content is preferably higher than 0.001 mass %.

[0069] On the other hand, even when those elements are added excessively, the proportion of those elements contained relatively to oxygen increases to give no effect on the formation of the oxide film. Therefore, each of the Al content and the Zr content is preferably lower than 0.05 mass %.

(14) 0.001<S<0.20;

(15) 0.001<Pb<0.20; and

(16) 0.001<Bi<0.20

[0070] Those elements may be added to improve free cuttability. In order to obtain such an effect, each of the S content, the Pb content and the Bi content is preferably higher than 0.001 mass %.

[0071] On the other hand, when the contents of those elements are excessive, toughness is lowered. Therefore, each of the S content, the Pb content and the Bi content is preferably lower than 0.20 mass %.

(17) Nb<0.20;

(18) Ti<0.20;

(19) B<0.10; and

(20) Co<0.20

[0072] Those elements are impurities contained in raw material scraps. Each of them may be contained as long as the content thereof is lower than the aforementioned content.

[1.2. Oxide Film]

[0073] The surface of the powder for additive manufacturing according to the present invention is coated with an oxide film This is a different point from the background art. The thickness of the oxide film in the surface of the powder gives influence to the conveyance performance of the powder and the toughness of the additive-manufactured product. Here, the thickness of the oxide film corresponds to a depth which is measured by

[0074] Auger spectroscopy and in which oxides can be estimated to be formed. A major oxide forming the oxides is typically a metal oxide such as SiO2. When Al is added, the major oxide is Al.sub.2O.sub.3. The depth is calculated from the relationship between the sputtering time and the depth of an SiO2 standard sample or an Al.sub.2O.sub.3 standard sample.

[0075] When the thickness of the oxide film is too thin, the powder tends to be aggregated to thereby reduce the conveyance performance of the powder. Therefore, the thickness of the oxide film is preferably 3 nm or more. On the other hand, when the thickness of the oxide film is too thick, coarse oxide is left behind in the additive-manufactured product so that the oxide tends to serve as a start point of cracking. Therefore, the thickness of the oxide film is preferably 30 nm or less.

[1.3. Average Grain Size]

[0076] The average grain size of the powder for additive manufacturing is not particularly limited, but an optimum value can be selected in accordance with a purpose. The optimum average grain size depends on the specification of the additive-manufacturing machine. The average grain size of the powder for additive manufacturing is typically about 1 m to 200 m. The average grain size is preferably about 15 m to 45 m.

[2. Method for Manufacturing Powder for Additive Manufacturing]

[0077] The powder for additive manufacturing according to the present invention can be, for example, manufactured by (a) an atomizing method in which a jet flow of air, water, inert gas, or the like is sprayed to molten metal, (b) a method in which an ingot is mechanically powdered, or the like.

[0078] The oxide film having a desired thickness can be obtained by adjusting the oxygen content in the molten metal in consideration of the amount which will be obtained in subsequent steps of classification and so on (that is, in consideration of natural oxide which will be formed). Further, the oxide film can be also obtained by heating the powder in an atmosphere having a certain oxygen partial pressure.

[3. Die-Casting Die Part]

[0079] A die-casting die part according to the present invention includes a product obtained by additive-manufacturing the powder for additive manufacturing according to the present invention.

[0080] Examples of such die-casting die parts include a nest, a core pin, a core, etc. In addition, examples of die-cast parts manufactured by use of such die-casting die parts include an engine block, a transmission case, a suspension tower, etc.

[0081] Specifically the die-casting die part according to the present invention can be manufactured by repeating (a) a step of forming a thin powder layer including the powder for additive manufacturing according to the present invention, and (b) a step of irradiating the powder layer with an energy beam such as a laser beam or an electron beam to thereby locally melt and solidify the powder layer.

[0082] In addition, the die-casting die part thus-obtained may be tempered at 500 C. to 700 C. if necessary.

[0083] The kind of the additive-manufacturing machine, the conditions for the additive manufacturing and the other conditions about the tempering are not particularly limited, but optimum ones may be selected in accordance with a purpose.

[4. Effect]

[0084] The additive-manufacturing method can manufacture a member into a near net shape so that the processing amount can be reduced in comparison with that in the background art. Thus, even if the Si content is reduced, a demerit caused by deterioration in machinability can be suppressed, and the thermal conductivity can be instead improved due to the reduction in the Si content.

[0085] In addition, the metal powder is melted and solidified locally so as to be substantially quenched when solidified. Due to this state, a step of quenching the additive-manufactured product can be omitted. In addition, since the quenching step is not required, VC regarded as necessary to prevent crystal grains from being coarsened during the quenching in the background art does not have to be formed in the structure.

[0086] Further, when the surface of the metal powder whose components have been adjusted to have a predetermined composition is coated with an oxide film, the powder can be inhibited from being aggregated. In additive manufacturing with such a powder, the powder can be also conveyed smoothly in addition to the aforementioned effect.

EXAMPLES cl Examples 1 to 20, and Comparative Examples 1 to 5

[1. Manufacturing of Sample]

[1.1. Manufacturing of Powder for Additive Manufacturing]

[0087] A powder was manufactured by an atomizing method using raw materials blended to have a predetermined composition. Next, the powder thus-obtained was subjected to an oxidation treatment to form an oxide film with a predetermined thickness in the surface of the powder, except for Comparative Example 1. Table 1 shows the composition of each obtained powder for additive manufacturing (the balance is Fe and unavoidable impurities).

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Composition (mass %) C Si Mn Cr Mo V N O others Example 1 0.35 0.06 0.42 5.3 1.4 0.41 0.03 0.04 Example 2 0.31 0.09 0.38 5.1 1.2 0.37 0.04 0.02 Example 3 0.39 0.13 0.33 5.5 1.5 0.36 0.01 0.01 Example 4 0.37 0.05 0.31 5.3 1 0.39 0.05 0.02 Example 5 0.27 0.12 0.39 5.4 1.1 0.42 0.01 0.03 Example 6 0.35 0.03 0.43 5 1.2 0.35 0.05 0.03 Example 7 0.29 0.15 0.3 5.1 1.3 0.38 0.02 0.01 Example 8 0.32 0.07 0.45 5.4 1.3 0.44 0.02 0.04 Example 9 0.26 0.01 0.36 5.2 1.1 0.36 0.04 0.02 Example 10 0.33 0.11 0.41 5.4 1.4 0.45 0.03 0.03 Example 11 0.36 0.06 0.33 5.3 1.4 0.37 0.02 0.02 Example 12 0.32 0.07 0.35 5.4 1.3 0.43 0.01 0.03 Example 13 0.33 0.08 0.36 5.4 1.1 0.41 0.03 0.03 Example 14 0.26 0.13 0.41 5.2 1.4 0.38 0.01 0.04 Example 15 0.26 0.11 0.41 5.3 1.1 0.43 0.04 0.03 Al = 0.04 Example 16 0.31 0.05 0.34 5.1 1.5 0.37 0.02 0.01 Al = 0.005 Example 17 0.37 0.07 0.45 5.4 1.3 0.41 0.03 0.04 Al = 0.02 Example 18 0.33 0.01 0.31 5 1 0.35 0.03 0.03 Zr = 0.03 Example 19 0.28 0.14 0.43 5.5 1.4 0.45 0.01 0.02 Zr = 0.003 Example 20 0.35 0.09 0.37 5.2 1.2 0.39 0.05 0.02 Z = 0.04 Comparative 0.33 0.07 0.37 5.2 1.1 0.37 0.02 0.004 Example 1 Comparative 0.21 0.06 0.39 5.4 1.2 0.42 0.02 0.03 Example 2 Comparative 0.31 0.09 0.42 5.3 1.3 0.55 0.03 0.02 Example 3 Comparative 0.36 0.25 0.4 5.4 1.1 0.39 0.01 0.03 Example 4 Comparative 0.31 0.08 0.41 5.3 1.2 0.4 0.02 0.07 Example 5

[1.2. Manufacturing of Additive-Manufactured Product]

[0088] An additive-manufactured product was manufactured by use of the powder for additive manufacturing. M2 made by Concept Laser GmbH was used as an additive-manufacturing machine.

[2. Testing Method]

[2.1. Spreadability]

[0089] For additive manufacturing, the metal powder is spread over an additive-manufacturing region before irradiation with a laser beam. Uniformity of the metal powder thus-spread was evaluated visually. A designates a state where there are no irregularities in the surface of the powder layer. B designates a state where the surface of the powder layer rises due to the aggregated powder or sinks due to insufficient feeding of the powder.

[2.2. Hardness as Manufactured]Hardness of the additive-manufactured product (not tempered) was measured by a Rockwell C scale.

[2.3. Impact Value]

[0090] A Charpy impact test piece with a U-notch of 2 mm was produced from the additive-manufactured product (not tempered). An impact value was measured by use of the obtained test piece. A measuring tester according to JIS B 7722:2018 was used on the measuring condition of a room temperature.

[2.4. Heat Check Resistance]

[0091] A columnar test piece having a diameter of 70 mm was produced from the additive-manufactured product (not tempered). A step of heating a flat surface of the test piece to 580 C. by high frequency heating and a step of water cooling were repeated until cracking occurred in the surface of the test piece. The number of repetition at the time when cracking occurred was regarded as an index of heat check resistance.

[2.5. Thermal Conductivity]

[0092] A test piece having a size of 10 mm (diameter)2 mm was cut out from the additive-manufactured product (not tempered). Thermal conductivity was measured by a laser flash method using the obtained test piece. The blackened test piece whose density was known was irradiated by a laser, and specific heat and thermal diffusivity were measured from a temperature rise. Thus, the thermal conductivity was calculated. The measurement was performed on the condition of a room temperature.

[2.6. Oxide Film Thickness]

[0093] For each powder, oxide film thickness was measured by Auger spectroscopy.

[3. Results]

[0094] Table 2 shows the results. From Table 2, some facts can be concluded as follows. (1) The spreadability was low in Comparative Example 1. It was considered that this was because the oxide film thickness in the surface of the powder was so thin that the powder was aggregated. (2) In Comparative Example 2, the hardness as manufactured was low, and the heat check resistance was also low. It was considered that this was because the C content was low. (3) The impact value was low in Comparative Example 3. It was considered that this was because the V amount was so excessive that coarse carbide was produced.

(4) In Comparative Example 4, the thermal conductivity was low. It was considered that this was because the Si amount was excessive. (5) In Comparative Example 5, the impact value was low. It was considered that this was because the 0 amount was excessive (that is, an excessive oxide film was formed in the surface of the powder). (6) In each of Examples 1 to 20, the spreadability was good, the hardness as manufactured was high, the heat check resistance was excellent, the impact value was high, and the thermal conductivity was high.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Heat check Oxide Hardness as Impact resistance Thermal film manufactured value (number conductivity thickness Spreadability (HRC) (J/cm.sup.2) of times) (W/m .Math. k) (nm) Example 1 A 51.8 23 9000 33.1 30 Example 2 A 49.8 25 7000 34.0 15 Example 3 A 54.1 21 12000 30.6 6 Example 4 A 53.1 23 10000 33.2 12 Example 5 A 48.8 21 5000 33.9 23 Example 6 A 52.1 23 8000 34.2 19 Example 7 A 49.3 22 6000 33.7 9 Example 8 A 50.6 24 7000 33.3 24 Example 9 A 47.8 24 6000 37.1 17 Example 10 A 51.3 22 8000 32.4 22 Example 11 A 52.8 25 10000 34.3 13 Example 12 A 51.1 24 8000 33.5 19 Example 13 A 51.8 23 8000 33.7 22 Example 14 A 48.1 26 8000 33.6 28 Example 15 A 48.3 25 5000 32.3 24 Example 16 A 49.6 24 7000 33.4 7 Example 17 A 52.8 22 9000 33.1 26 Example 18 A 50.9 21 8000 34.3 19 Example 19 A 49.2 23 7000 30.2 14 Example 20 A 52.2 22 8000 33.4 17 Comparative B 50.8 23 6000 33.7 2 Example 1 Comparative A 43.5 28 3000 36.7 18 Example 2 Comparative A 50.2 18 6000 33.5 15 Example 3 Comparative A 52.8 22 7000 29.4 20 Example 4 Comparative A 49.6 9 7000 32.8 50 Example 5

[0095] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment at all. Various modifications can be made on the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0096] The present application is based on Japanese Patent Applications No. 2019-112613 filed on Jun. 18, 2019 and No. 2020-043541 filed on Mar. 12, 2020, and the contents are incorporated herein by reference.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0097] A powder for additive manufacturing according to the present invention can be used for additive-manufacturing a die-casting die part.