Influence of LPBF Process Parameters on the Surface Quality of Stainless Steel on the Adhesion Properties with Thermoplastics

Spinodoid metamaterials are artificial, architected materials that offer unique properties superior to the corresponding bulk material. This type of structure enables tailored properties to create new opportunities for applications in, e.g., the mobility, health, and energy sectors. Spinodoid metal structures only can be manufactured by advanced additive manufacturing technologies such as the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process. For various application scenarios of metamaterials, it may be necessary to bond or coat them with thermoplastics. The surface quality of the additively manufactured structure is particularly relevant for the adhesion of the metallic to the thermoplastic structure, as the mechanical adhesion, for example, depends on the roughness and surface properties. Therefore, this paper focuses on the investigation of the surface properties of additively manufactured stainless steel components with dependence on the parameters of the LPBF process with regard to subsequent adhesion with thermoplastics.