Scaling laws for the additive manufacturing of the AISI 316 L deposited by laser surface cladding and direct metal deposition methods

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of the shape and microstructure of individual tracks formed from AISI 316 L stainless steel using laser surface cladding (LSC) and direct metal deposition (DMD) methods. The research aims to identify the relationship between laser radiation parameters (laser spot size, radiation power, scanning speed) and geometric characteristics of created tracks. The result shows that the change in the geometric characteristics of single tracks (depth, width, and height) can be related to two dimensionless parameters: normalized enthalpy H and Peclet number Pe. Based on the experimental data summary, the limiting values of the conditions for realizing keyhole melting (H > 2, Pe < 10) and heat conduction (H < 2, Pe > 10) were determined.