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2015
Conference Paper
Titel
Laser beam propagation and energy deposition in particulate PEEK layers
Abstract
The usage of high-temperature resisting thermoplastic polymers like PEEK (polyether ether ketone) as coating material represents an alternative to conventional corrosion protection layers. One promising approach to manufacture these coatings is to deposit particulate PEEK and, subsequently, melt the PEEK particles by laser radiation in order to create a dense, pore-free layer. Understanding the laser beam propagation and the energy deposition in the particulate PEEK layer is essential to simulate (time-dependent) temperature distributions within the layer system. These simulations allow an efficient identification of suitable process parameters for laser melting of the PEEK layer. Therefore, the absorbance of the layer system composed of substrate and PEEK powder with admixed laser-absorbing particles is determined experimentally. Subsequently, a model-based simulation of the optical properties is conducted and fitted to the measured data. Hence, the complex refractive indices of the bulk materials, particle-size distribution, powder density, multiple reflection, various scattering effects as well as layer thickness are taken into account. Based on the simulation results the spatial energy deposition in the layer system is extracted.