Study on the element segregation and Laves phase formation in the laser metal deposited IN718 superalloy by flat top laser and gaussian distribution laser

Abstract

The element segregation, Laves phase formation, and mechanical properties of the laser metal deposited IN718 superalloy by the flat top laser beam (FTLB) and gaussian distribution laser beam (GDLB) are studied. It is found that the Laves phase formation in the gaussian distribution laser deposited IN718 (GDLD-IN718) is substantially higher than that in the flat top laser deposited IN718 (FTLD-IN718). The higher production of the Laves phase in the GDLD-IN718 contributes to the higher microhardness and lower tensile strength (about 20% reduction) of the as-deposited IN718 than that of the FTLD-IN718. The element redistribution behavior in the laser rapid solidification under both of the lasers are also studied through the finite element simulation. The results show that the severe laser energy concentration in the center of the GDLB produces higher molten pool temperature, lower horizontal thermal gradient to vertical thermal gradient ratio (GX/GZ) of the solid-liquid interface. These typical thermal characteristic of the GDLB generated molten pool eventually results in a lower redistribution coefficient of the alloying elements and as a result, the interdendritic element segregation and Laves phase formation are dramatically improved in the GDLD-IN718. The present comparative study proves that the FTLB is more superior for the laser additive manufacturing than that of the GDLB.