Parameter optimization of aluminum alloy thin structures obtained by Selective Laser Melting

MRS Advances ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (55-56) ◽  
pp. 2997-3005
Author(s):  
Malena Ley Bun Leal ◽  
Barbara Bermudez-Reyes ◽  
Patricia del Carmen Zambrano Robledo ◽  
Omar Lopez-Botello

ABSTRACTSelective Laser Melting (SLM) involves numerous fabrication parameters, the interaction between those parameters determine the final characteristics of the resulting part and because of the latter, it is considered a complex process. Low-density components is one of the main issues of the SLM process, due to the incorrect selection of process parameters. These defects are undesired in high specialized applications (i.e. aerospace, aeronautic and medical industries). Therefore, the characterization of the defects (pores) found in aluminum parts manufacture by SLM and the relationship with fabrication parameters was performed. A robust orthogonal design of experiments was implemented to determine process parameters, and then parts were manufactured in SLM. Relative density of the samples was then characterized using the Archimedes principle and microscopy; the data was then statistically analyzed in order to determine the optimal process parameters. The main purpose of the present research was to establish the best processing parameters of an in-house SLM system, as well as to characterize the pore geometry in order to fully eliminate pores in a future research.

Materials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian-Hong Wang ◽  
Jie Ren ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Xiao-Yu Wu ◽  
Ming-Xiang Gao ◽  
...  

Due to the rapid melting and solidification mechanisms involved in selective laser melting (SLM), CoCrMo alloys fabricated by SLM differ from the cast form of the same alloy. In this study, the relationship between process parameters and the morphology and macromechanical properties of cobalt-chromium alloy micro-melting pools is discussed. By measuring the width and depth of the molten pool, a theoretical model of the molten pool is established, and the relationship between the laser power, the scanning speed, the scanning line spacing, and the morphology of the molten pool is determined. At the same time, this study discusses the relationship between laser energy and molding rate. Based on the above research, the optimal process for the laser melting of cobalt-chromium alloy in the selected area is obtained. These results will contribute to the development of biomedical CoCr alloys manufactured by SLM.


Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josiah Chekotu ◽  
Robert Groarke ◽  
Kevin O’Toole ◽  
Dermot Brabazon

Nitinol (nickel-titanium or Ni-Ti) is the most utilized shape memory alloy due to its good superelasticity, shape memory effect, low stiffness, damping, biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance. Various material characteristics, such as sensitivity to composition and production thermal gradients, make conventional methods ineffective for the manufacture of high quality complex Nitinol components. These issues can be resolved by modern additive manufacturing (AM) methods which can produce net or near-net shape parts with highly precise and complex Nitinol structures. Compared to Laser Engineered Net Shape (LENS), Selective Laser Melting (SLM) has the benefit of more easily creating a high quality local inert atmosphere which protects chemically-reactive Nitinol powders to a higher degree. In this paper, the most recent publications related to the SLM processing of Nitinol are reviewed to identify the various influential factors involved and process-related issues. It is reported how powder quality and material composition have a significant effect on the produced microstructures and phase transformations. The effect of heat treatments after SLM fabrication on the functional and mechanical properties are noted. Optimization of several operating parameters were found to be critical in fabricating Nitinol parts of high density. The importance of processing parameters and related thermal cooling gradient which are crucial for obtaining the correct phase structure for shape memory capabilities are also presented. The paper concludes by presenting the significant findings and areas of prospective future research in relation to the SLM processing of Nitinol.


2020 ◽  
Vol 792 ◽  
pp. 139316
Author(s):  
Jie Chen ◽  
Yongqiang Yang ◽  
Changhui Song ◽  
Di Wang ◽  
Shibiao Wu ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 97-101 ◽  
pp. 4020-4023
Author(s):  
Jin Hui Liu ◽  
Rui Di Li ◽  
Can Zhao

Melting tracks with and without powder materials were studied by varying the parameters in selective laser melting. Several characters of melting track such as melting width and gilled state stripes were analyzed combining the relationship between the powder materials and processing parameters. Connected with balling effects, thermal transmission and thermal physical properties of powder materials, the formation of above character were explained. The research result of this work would provide a basic foundation for the further investigation of the quality of end metal component manufactured by selective laser melting method.


Author(s):  
A. L. K. Rawlings ◽  
A. J. Birnbaum ◽  
J. G. Michopoulos ◽  
J. C. Steuben ◽  
A. P. Iliopoulos ◽  
...  

Abstract The formation of sub-grain cellular structures generated during the rapid solidification associated with selective laser melting (SLM) typically yields enhanced mechanical properties in terms of yield stress without considerable loss in ductility when compared with those of wrought material. The extent to which the sub-grain structure appears under standard metallographic preparation shows dependence on multiple systematic conditions. This study identifies the effects of solidification and cooling rate on the grain and sub-grain structure in stainless steel through varying the processing parameters (laser power, scan velocity and spot size) of single tracks on both as-received, small grain and annealed, giant grain substrates. The process parameters, in conjunction with the initial substrate microstructure, are key components in understanding the resulting microstructure. Process parameters, particularly scan velocity, dictate the solidification rate and primary regrowth directions while the initial microstructure and its thermomechanical history dictate the propensity for stored strain energy density. Modeling the thermal process allows for experimental analysis within the context of predicted location within processing space as it pertains to local interface velocity and temperature gradient. Furthermore, it highlights the fact that this specific material system behaves in a manner that is inconsistent with classical solidification theory.


2019 ◽  
Vol 946 ◽  
pp. 972-977
Author(s):  
P.A. Lykov

Various "energy density" parameters are used very often for comparison of fabrication modes for Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology. Each SLM mode is determined by a number of process parameters. In this paper the energy density was considered critically as a reliable parameter for characterization of Selective Laser Melting of four various alloys on one SLM machine, on the example of fabrication of cubic specimen. The results obtained show that the energy density can be used for approximate comparison of SLM modes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 752-753 ◽  
pp. 485-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shafaqat Siddique ◽  
Eric Wycisk ◽  
Gerrit Frieling ◽  
Claus Emmelmann ◽  
Frank Walther

Selective laser melting (SLM) has been recognized as a pertinent process for manufacturing of complex geometries. Al 4047 has been manufactured in this study with different processing parameters of the SLM process to obtain the optimal parameters suitable for required applications, as well as to determine the effect of these parameters and post-processing heat treatment on mechanical properties. A unique Al-Si eutectic microstructure is obtained with Al dendrites growing in the scanning direction. Mechanical properties of the SLM manufactured Al 4047 are at par with those of conventionally manufactured alloy. These properties can be varied by changing the SLM process parameters which can help controlling the process cost depending upon required mechanical properties.


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