3D CFD Modelling of Sintering of Metal Binder Jetting Products

Paper in proceeding, 2022

Binder jetting process is a prominent 3D printing technology due to its cost-effectiveness and capability to scale up the production in terms of batch sizes. However, the green parts need several post-processes including curing, debinding and sintering to improve the parts' density and mechanical strength. These post-processes bring many challenges affecting the final part size and dimensional accuracy. To get the best result and desired material properties, precise temperature and atmosphere control are vital during each individual post-process. This work shows 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) as a powerful tool to achieve such an objective. A full-scale 3D CFD simulation method of a sintering furnace in operation will be presented. This method allows 3D calculation of all the important processes including gas flow, thermal radiation, convection and conjugate heat transfer in solids and fluids so that sintering processes of metal binder jetting products can be well simulated.