Abstract
Selective laser melting (SLM) is well suited for the efficient manufacturing of complex structures because of its manufacturing methodology. The optimized process parameters for each alloy has been a cause for debate in recent years. In this study, the hatch angle and build orientation were investigated. 304L stainless steel samples were manufactured using three hatch angles (0°, 67°, and 105°) in three build orientations (x-, y-, and z-direction) and tested in compression. Analysis of variance and Tukey’s test were used to evaluate the obtained results. Results showed that the measured compressive yield strength and plastic flow stress varied when the hatch angle and build orientation changed. Samples built in the y-direction exhibited the highest yield strength irrespective of the hatch angle; although, samples manufactured using a hatch angle of 0° exhibited the lowest yield strength. Samples manufactured with a hatch angle of 0° flowed at the lowest stress at 35% plastic strain. Samples manufactured with hatch angles of 67° and 105° flowed at statistically the same flow stress at 35% plastic strain. However, samples manufactured with a 67° hatch angle deformed non-uniformly. Therefore, it can be concluded that 304L stainless steel parts manufactured using a hatch angle of 105° in the y-direction exhibited the best overall compressive behavior.
Highlights
The demand for stronger, lighter, and more customizable parts has driven the development and research of new manufacturing methods, tools, and technologies
This study considered hatch angle and build orientation interaction, which made the comparison more accurate
Samples built in the y-direction exhibited the highest yield strength irrespective of the hatch angle; samples manufactured using hatch angles 0◦ exhibited the lowest yield strength when compared to samples manufactured using the other two hatch angles
Summary
The demand for stronger, lighter, and more customizable parts has driven the development and research of new manufacturing methods, tools, and technologies. Popovich et al [6] investigated the anisotropy of mechanical properties of parts manufactured using SLM. They found a dependence of the mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V on the build orientation. Miranda et al [7] developed a predictive model for the physical and mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel They observed changes in the mechanical properties of the steel when the laser speed, scanning speed, and scanning spacing was changed. The effects of build size, build orientation, and part thickness on the tensile properties of 304L stainless steel has been studied by Ortiz Rios et al [8]. Other works available in literature with respect to the effects of process parameters on the mechanical properties of AM parts can be found in [10,11,12]
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