Combined Effect of Build Orientation and Energy Density on Density and Mechanical Properties of Selectively Laser Melted Co-Cr-W-Si

Abstract

The selective laser melting (SLM) process for manufacturing metals continues to be challenging in terms of achieving the maximum metallurgical properties that the process can provide. There are a variety of manufacturing parameters in the process that have individual characteristics, and when combined with other variables, the characteristics can be varied. However, in this study, the two most important manufacturing parameters, namely build direction and laser power, were considered to investigate their effects on density and tensile properties. Previously, the best scanning speed, hatch spacing, and layer thickness were determined, which directly affect the volumetric energy density in the SLM process. In this study, three different orientations and three different laser powers were selected, namely the X, Y, and Z directions and 55 W, 75 W, and 95 W laser power, respectively. Significant differences in product density were observed for the samples fabricated in the different orientations and with the different laser powers. The specimens fabricated in the Z direction always exhibit higher strength and ductility, which are significantly different from the specimens fabricated in the X and Y directions, while the laser power was 75 W and 95 W, respectively.