Parametric optimization of selective laser melting for forming Ti6Al4V samples by Taguchi method

Abstract In this study, a selective laser melting experiment was carried out with Ti6Al4V alloy powders. To produce samples with maximum density, selective laser melting parameters of laser power, scanning speed, powder thickness, hatching space and scanning strategy were carefully selected. As a statistical design of experimental technique, the Taguchi method was used to optimize the selected parameters. The results were analyzed using analyses of variance (ANOVA) and the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios by design-expert software for the optimal parameters, and a regression model was established. The regression equation revealed a linear relationship among the density, laser power, scanning speed, powder thickness and scanning strategy. From the experiments, sample with density higher than 95% was obtained. The microstructure of obtained sample was mainly composed of acicular martensite, α phase and β phase. The micro-hardness was 492 HV0.2.

[1]  J. Christian,et al.  The theory of transformations in metals and alloys , 2003 .

[2]  A. Olabi,et al.  Effect of process parameters and optimization of CO2 laser cutting of ultra high-performance polyethylene , 2010 .

[3]  M. Savalani,et al.  Microstructure and mechanical properties of selective laser melted magnesium , 2011 .

[4]  P. Lipinski,et al.  Development and mechanical characterization of porous titanium bone substitutes. , 2012, Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials.

[5]  M. Todea,et al.  Effect of surface conditioning on the flowability of Ti6Al7Nb powder for selective laser melting applications , 2012 .

[6]  Y. S. Tarng,et al.  Design optimization of cutting parameters for turning operations based on the Taguchi method , 1998 .

[7]  Timur Canel,et al.  Parameter optimization of nanosecond laser for microdrilling on PVC by Taguchi method , 2012 .

[8]  J. Kruth,et al.  A study of the microstructural evolution during selective laser melting of Ti–6Al–4V , 2010 .

[9]  Nie Zuoren,et al.  Optimization of weld bead geometry in laser welding with filler wire process using Taguchi’s approach , 2012 .

[10]  K. Y. Benyounis,et al.  Multi-response optimization of CO2 laser-welding process of austenitic stainless steel , 2008 .

[11]  C. Colin,et al.  Microstructural and mechanical approaches of the selective laser melting process applied to a nickel-base superalloy , 2012 .

[12]  C. Yang,et al.  Study of optimal laser parameters for cutting QFN packages by Taguchi's matrix method , 2007 .

[13]  Igor Shishkovsky,et al.  Manufacturing of fine-structured 3D porous filter elements by selective laser melting , 2009 .

[14]  E. Chlebus,et al.  Microstructure and mechanical behaviour of Ti―6Al―7Nb alloy produced by selective laser melting , 2011 .

[15]  E. Brandl,et al.  Additive manufactured AlSi10Mg samples using Selective Laser Melting (SLM): Microstructure, high cycle fatigue, and fracture behavior , 2012 .

[16]  A. Olabi,et al.  Investigating the CO2 laser cutting parameters of MDF wood composite material , 2011 .