Abrasive Finishing of Complex Internal Channels in Parts Produced by Additive Technology

The use of hydroabrasive machining (abrasive flow machining) in finishing complex internal channels within VT6 titanium alloy samples produced by additive technology—specifically, selective laser melting (SLM)—is considered. In this technique, abrasive suspensions are pumped into the channels. Hydroabrasive machining is of interest as a means of reducing the surface roughness of the channels, without loss of geometric accuracy. The influence of the following key factors is analyzed: the treatment time, the grain size of the abrasive, the composition of the suspension, and its supply rate. By hydroabrasive machining, the surface roughness Ra may be reduced from 6.3–7.2 to 1.3 µm, with change in the initial geometry by no more than 1.5%.