Surface Morphology in Selective Laser Melting of Metal Powders

TLDR

Selective Laser Melting is a powder‑based additive manufacturing process that builds parts layer‑by‑layer, and its growing industrial interest stems from its ability to create geometrically complex components, though part properties depend on individual tracks, layers, and their interconnections. The study seeks to introduce SLM into industry by demonstrating that achieving high mechanical properties in real components is essential. The authors analyze how processing parameters, particularly hatch distance, influence surface morphology.

Abstract

Abstract Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a powder-based additive manufacturing capable to produce parts layer-by-layer from a 3D CAD model. Currently there is a growing interest in industry for applying this technology for generating objects with high geometrical complexity. To introduce SLM process into industry for manufacturing real components, high mechanical properties of final product must be achieved. Properties of the manufactured parts depend strongly on each single laser-melted track and each single layer, as well as the strength of the connections between them. In this study, effects of the processing parameters such as hatch distance on surface morphology are analyzed.