scholarly journals Effect of Selective Laser Melting Process Parameters on the Quality of Al Alloy Parts: Powder Characterization, Density, Surface Roughness, and Dimensional Accuracy

Materials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Maamoun ◽  
Yi Xue ◽  
Mohamed Elbestawi ◽  
Stephen Veldhuis
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Process Parameters ◽  
Dimensional Accuracy ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Melting Process ◽  
Al Alloys ◽  
Al Alloy ◽  
Laser Melting

Additive manufacturing (AM) of high-strength Al alloys promises to enhance the performance of critical components related to various aerospace and automotive applications. The key advantage of AM is its ability to generate lightweight, robust, and complex shapes. However, the characteristics of the as-built parts may represent an obstacle to the satisfaction of the parts’ quality requirements. The current study investigates the influence of selective laser melting (SLM) process parameters on the quality of parts fabricated from different Al alloys. A design of experiment (DOE) was used to analyze relative density, porosity, surface roughness, and dimensional accuracy according to the interaction effect between the SLM process parameters. The results show a range of energy densities and SLM process parameters for AlSi10Mg and Al6061 alloys needed to achieve “optimum” values for each performance characteristic. A process map was developed for each material by combining the optimized range of SLM process parameters for each characteristic to ensure good quality of the as-built parts. This study is also aimed at reducing the amount of post-processing needed according to the optimal processing window detected.

scholarly journals Effect of SLM Process Parameters on the Quality of Al Alloy Parts; Part I: Powder Characterization, Density, Surface Roughness, and Dimensional Accuracy

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed H. Maamoun ◽  
Yi F. Xue ◽  
Mohamed A. Elbestawi ◽  
Stephen C. Veldhuis
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Process Parameters ◽  
Dimensional Accuracy ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Al Alloys ◽  
Al Alloy ◽  
Part Quality ◽  
Density Surface ◽  
Critical Components

Additive manufacturing (AM) of high strength Al alloys promises to enhance the performance of critical components related to various aerospace and automotive applications. The key advantage of AM is its ability to generate lightweight, robust, and complex shapes. However, the characteristics of the as-built parts may represent an obstacle to satisfy the part quality requirements. The current study investigates the influence of selective laser melting (SLM) process parameters on the quality of parts fabricated from different Al alloys. A design of experiment (DOE) is used to analyze relative density, porosity, surface roughness, and dimensional accuracy according to the interaction effect between the SLM process parameters. The results show a range of energy densities and SLM process parameters for the AlSi10Mg and Al6061 alloys needed to achieve “optimum” values for each performance characteristic. A process map is developed for each material by combining the optimized range of SLM process parameters for each characteristic to ensure good quality of the as-built parts. The second part of this study investigates the effect of SLM process parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the same Al alloys. This comprehensive study is also aimed at reducing the amount of post-processing needed.

scholarly journals The Effect of Selective Laser Melting Process Parameters on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al6061 and AlSi10Mg Alloys

Materials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Maamoun ◽  
Yi Xue ◽  
Mohamed Elbestawi ◽  
Stephen Veldhuis
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Process Parameters ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Melting Process ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Influence Of Process Parameters ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Powder Characteristics

Additive manufacturing (AM) offers customization of the microstructures and mechanical properties of fabricated components according to the material selected and process parameters applied. Selective laser melting (SLM) is a commonly-used technique for processing high strength aluminum alloys. The selection of SLM process parameters could control the microstructure of parts and their mechanical properties. However, the process parameters limit and defects obtained inside the as-built parts present obstacles to customized part production. This study investigates the influence of SLM process parameters on the quality of as-built Al6061 and AlSi10Mg parts according to the mutual connection between the microstructure characteristics and mechanical properties. The microstructure of both materials was characterized for different parts processed over a wide range of SLM process parameters. The optimized SLM parameters were investigated to eliminate internal microstructure defects. The behavior of the mechanical properties of parts was presented through regression models generated from the design of experiment (DOE) analysis for the results of hardness, ultimate tensile strength, and yield strength. A comparison between the results obtained and those reported in the literature is presented to illustrate the influence of process parameters, build environment, and powder characteristics on the quality of parts produced. The results obtained from this study could help to customize the part’s quality by satisfying their design requirements in addition to reducing as-built defects which, in turn, would reduce the amount of the post-processing needed.

scholarly journals On the Effect of Selective Laser Melting Process Parameters on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al Alloys

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Maamoun ◽  
Yi Xue ◽  
Mohamed Elbestawi ◽  
Stephen Veldhuis
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Process Parameters ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Melting Process ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Influence Of Process Parameters ◽  
Microstructure And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Wide Range

Additive manufacturing (AM) offers customization of microstructure and mechanical properties of fabricated components according to the material selected, and process parameters applied. Selective laser melting (SLM) is the commonly used technique for processing high strength aluminum alloys. Selection of SLM process parameters could control the microstructure of parts and their mechanical properties. However, the process parameters limit and defects obtained inside the as-built parts present obstacles to customized part production. This study investigates the influence of SLM process parameters on the quality of as-built Al6061 and AlSi10Mg parts according to the mutual connection between the microstructure characteristics and mechanical properties. The microstructure of both materials was characterized for different parts processed over a wide range of SLM process parameters. The optimized SLM parameters were investigated to eliminate the internal microstructure defects. The behaviour of mechanical properties of parts was presented through regression models generated from the design of experiment (DOE) analysis for the results of hardness, ultimate tensile strength, and yield strength. A comparison between the results obtained and that reported in the literature is presented to illustrate the influence of process parameters, build environment, and powder characteristics on the quality of parts produced. The results obtained from this study could help to customize the part’s quality by satisfying their design requirements in addition to reducing the as-built defects which in turn reduce the amount of the post-processing needed.

Selective Laser Melting of the Inconel 718 Nickel Superalloy

2014 ◽  
Vol 698 ◽  
pp. 333-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vadim Sh. Sufiiarov ◽  
Evgenii V. Borisov ◽  
Igor A. Polozov
Keyword(s):  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Process Parameters ◽  
Inconel 718 ◽  
Melting Process ◽  
Nickel Superalloy ◽  
Mechanical Tests ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Influence Of Process Parameters ◽  
Inconel 718 Superalloy

The results of the research on selective laser melting process of the Inconel 718 superalloy powder under conditions of additive manufacturing of parts for special purposes are presented. The influence of process parameters on the quality of manufactured parts is shown. Process parameters which allow manufacturing parts with the density close to 100%, are determined. Also, the results of mechanical tests and investigation of microstructure are presented.

Investigation of selective laser melting process for Cu-5Sn alloy on surface roughness, microstructure and mechanical property

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Yang ◽  
Dingyong He ◽  
Zengjie Wang ◽  
Zhen Tan ◽  
Hanguang Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Mechanical Property ◽  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Melting Process ◽  
Scanning Speed ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Forming Process ◽  
Content Type

Purpose In this research, the highly dense bulk Cu-5Sn alloy specimens were fabricated using selective laser melting (SLM). This study aims to establish the relationship between laser power (LP), scanning speed (SS) and hatch space (HS) with surface roughness (Ra) and density. To obtain Cu-5Sn alloy formed parts with high strength and low surface roughness. The microstructure and mechanical properties of SLMed Cu-5Sn were investigated. Design/methodology/approach The relative density (RD) was optimized using the response surface method (RSM) and analysis of variance. First, the Ra of SLMed formed specimens was studied to optimize the forming process parameters with a good surface. Then, the dense specimens were studied by ANOVA and the RSM to obtain dense specimens for mechanical property analysis. Findings Dense specimens were obtained by RSM and ANOVA. The tensile properties were compared with the casted specimens. The yield and ultimate strengths increased from 71 and 131 MPa for the cast specimens to 334 and 489 MPa for the SLMed specimens, respectively. The ductility increased significantly from 11% to 23%, due to the refined microstructure of the SLMed specimens, as well as the formation of many twin crystals. Originality/value The Ra, RD and mechanical properties of SLM specimens Cu-5Sn were systematically studied, and the influencing factors were analyzed together. This study provides a theoretical and practical example to improve the surface quality and RD.

scholarly journals Optimising the process parameters of selective laser melting for the fabrication of Ti6Al4V alloy

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhonghua Li ◽  
Ibrahim Kucukkoc ◽  
David Z. Zhang ◽  
Fei Liu
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Surface Quality ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Process Parameters ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Optimum Process ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Vertical Side ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Surface roughness is an important evaluation index for industrial components, and it strongly depends on the processing parameters for selective laser molten Ti6Al4V parts. This paper aims to obtain an optimum selective laser melting (SLM) parameter set to improve the surface roughness of Ti6Al4V samples. Design/methodology/approach A response surface methodology (RSM)-based approach is proposed to improve the surface quality of selective laser molten Ti6Al4V parts and understand the relationship between the SLM process parameters and the surface roughness. The main SLM parameters (i.e. laser power, scan speed and hatch spacing) are optimized, and Ti6Al4V parts are manufactured by the SLM technology with no post processes. Findings Optimum process parameters were obtained using the RSM method to minimise the roughness of the top and vertical side surfaces. Obtained parameter sets were evaluated based on their productivity and surface quality performance. The validation tests have been performed, and the results verified the effectivity of the proposed technique. It was also shown that the top and vertical sides must be handled together to obtain better top surface quality. Practical implications The obtained optimum SLM parameter set can be used in the manufacturing of Ti6Al4V components with high surface roughness requirement. Originality/value RSM is used to analyse and determine the optimal combination of SLM parameters with the aim of improving the surface roughness quality of Ti6Al4V components, for the first time in the literature. Also, this is the first study which aims to simultaneously optimise the surface quality of top and vertical sides of titanium alloys.

scholarly journals Study of the Surface and Dimensional Quality of the AlSi10Mg Thin-Wall Components Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 126
Author(s):  
Muhammad Waqas ◽  
Dingyong He ◽  
Hassan Elahi ◽  
Saleem Riaz ◽  
Marco Eugeni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Process Parameters ◽  
Wall Thickness ◽  
Reference Value ◽  
Dimensional Accuracy ◽  
Thin Wall ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Anova Technique

Additive manufacturing (AM), a 3D printing technique that manufactures components by sequential addition of powder, has massively reshaped the manufacturing and engineering sectors from batch production to manufacturing customized, innovative, state-of-the-art, and sustainable products. Additive manufacturing of aluminum alloys by selective laser melting (SLM) is one of the latest research trends in this field due to the fact of its advantages and vast applications in manufacturing industries such as automobiles and aerospace. This paper investigated the surface and dimensional quality of SLM-built AlSi10Mg parts using a response surface method (RSM) and found the influence of the wall thickness and process parameters (i.e., laser power, scanning speed, hatch distance) on the pieces. Thin-walled test specimens of AlSi10Mg alloy were manufactured with different combinations of process parameters at three wall thicknesses: 1.0 mm, 2.0 mm, and 3.0 mm. The Minitab DOE module was used to create 27 different configurations of wall thickness and process parameters. The samples’ surface roughness and dimensional accuracy were investigated, and the findings were evaluated using the ANOVA technique. The regression model and the ANOVA technique showed high precision and had a particular reference value for practical engineering applications.

Effect of defocusing distance on the forming quality of inner structure parts manufactured via selective laser melting

2021 ◽  
pp. 095440892110590
Author(s):  
Weipeng Duan ◽  
Meiping Wu ◽  
Jitai Han ◽  
Yiqing Ma ◽  
Peipei Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Surface Pressure ◽  
Laser Energy ◽  
Dimensional Accuracy ◽  
Laser Energy Density ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Forming Quality

A systematical work was studied to illustrate the influence of defocusing distance on the forming quality of inner structure fabricated by selective laser melting for Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The relationship between defocusing distance and dimensional accuracy, surface roughness as well as flatness was investigated, finite element analysis (FEA) was used to show the temperature distribution. The results show that defocusing distance not only had an impact on laser energy density, but also showed a significant influence on the surface pressure of the metal powder. Smaller defocusing distance (0.0 mm) accompanied with higher molten pool maximum temperature (3262.96°C), powder melting and splashing at the same time. On the contrary, larger defocusing distance leading to unmelted powder and powder bonding, which influences the forming quality of samples. Dimensional accuracy was less affected in 0.0, 1.0, 2.0 mm defocusing distance (5%), but changed dramatically when it is 3.0 mm (22%). In the same condition, similar variation trend of surface roughness (Ra) and flatness was observed, and varying from 5.1 to 27.3 μm and 0.05 to 0.26 mm, respectively. Simultaneously, the bottom surface is less affected, while the other three sides have the opposite situation. Pores and unmelted powder can be seen on the surface, it is the comprehensive effect of laser energy density and surface pressure. It proves that it is feasible to manufacture inner structure by controlling this process parameter during SLM process, the influence mechanism of defocusing distance on forming quality was also illustrated in this work.

Effect of the strut size and tilt angle on the geometric characteristics of selective laser melting AlSi10Mg

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Baopeng Zhang ◽  
Xuesong Han ◽  
Changpeng Chen ◽  
Wenqi Zhang ◽  
Hailong Liao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Process Parameters ◽  
Tilt Angle ◽  
Lattice Structure ◽  
Dimensional Accuracy ◽  
Optimal Process ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the strut size and tilt angle on the densification behavior, surface roughness and dimensional accuracy of the selective laser melting AlSi10Mg lattice structure was investigated in this study. In this study, the characteristics such as the density, up-skin and down-skin roughness and dimensional accuracy of selective laser melting forming technology manufacturing (SLMed) AlSi10Mg cellular lattice structure were carried. This work reveals the effect of the strut size and tilt angle on the geometric characteristics of SLMed AlSi10Mg and is benefit for controlling the forming performance of the SLMed cellular lattice structure. Design/methodology/approach Based on AlSi10Mg powder, the influence of the tilt angle changed from 10° to 45° with an increment of 5° were investigated, the influence of the strut size was varied from 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm with an increment of 0.2 mm were investigated. The characteristics such as the density, up-skin and down-skin roughness, dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties of SLM-ed AlSi10Mg cellular lattice structure was carried. Findings Greater than 99% relative density can be achieved for different strut size when optimal process parameters are used. In the optimized process interval, the struts with a tilt angle of 10° can still be formed well, which is higher than the design limit of the inclined angle given in the related literature. The tilt angle has a significant effect on the surface roughness of the strut. The microhardness reached to 157 ± 3 HV, and the maximum compressive strength was 58.86 MPa, with the optimal process parameters. Originality/value In this study, the characteristics such as the density, up-skin and down-skin roughness and dimensional accuracy of SLMed AlSi10Mg cellular lattice structure were carried. With the optimal geometric parameters, the authors tested microhardness and compressive strength of the cellular lattice structure. The results of this study provide theoretical and experimental basis for the realization of high-quality manufacturing and optimization design of aluminum alloy cellular lattice structure, which will meet more diversified industrial needs.

scholarly journals Improving surface quality in selective laser melting based tool making

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippo Simoni ◽  
Andrea Huxol ◽  
Franz-Josef Villmer
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Surface Quality ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Melting Process ◽  
Laser Remelting ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Great Cost ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Processing Techniques

AbstractIn the last years, Additive Manufacturing, thanks to its capability of continuous improvements in performance and cost-efficiency, was able to partly replace and redefine well-established manufacturing processes. This research is based on the idea to achieve great cost and operational benefits especially in the field of tool making for injection molding by combining traditional and additive manufacturing in one process chain. Special attention is given to the surface quality in terms of surface roughness and its optimization directly in the Selective Laser Melting process. This article presents the possibility for a remelting process of the SLM parts as a way to optimize the surfaces of the produced parts. The influence of laser remelting on the surface roughness of the parts is analyzed while varying machine parameters like laser power and scan settings. Laser remelting with optimized parameter settings considerably improves the surface quality of SLM parts and is a great starting point for further post-processing techniques, which require a low initial value of surface roughness.

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