The investigation of the influence of laser re-melting on density, surface quality and microstructure of selective laser melting parts

Yasa E., Deckers J., Kruth J.

RAPID PROTOTYPING JOURNAL, vol.17, no.5, pp.312-327, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 17 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.1108/13552541111156450
  • Journal Name: RAPID PROTOTYPING JOURNAL
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.312-327
  • Keywords: Surface roughness, Solid freeform fabrication, Rapid manufacturing, Layered manufacturing, Surface texture, Metallurgy, ROUGHNESS, STEEL, ALLOY, ND
  • Eskisehir Osmangazi University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Purpose - Selective laser melting (SLM) is a powder metallurgical (PM) additive manufacturing process whereby a three-dimensional part is built in a layer-wise manner. During the process, a high intensity laser beam selectively scans a powder bed according to the computer-aided design data of the part to be produced and the powder metal particles are completely molten. The process is capable of producing near full density (similar to 98-99 per cent relative density) and functional metallic parts with a high geometrical freedom. However, insufficient surface quality of produced parts is one of the important limitations of the process. The purpose of this study is to apply laser re-melting using a continuous wave laser during SLM production of 316L stainless steel and Ti6Al4V parts to overcome this limitation.