Influence of different build orientation and laser scan strategies on surface quality, Mechanical and Material Characteristics of 18 Ni-300 maraging steel processed through DMLS

ABSTRACT

Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is a method used to fabricate metal parts through laser sintering. In this research, experiments are designed to study how scanning patterns and build orientation affect the properties of printed maraging steel (MS1) parts. The mechanical and physical properties of DMLS manufactured parts depend primarily on the building direction and scanning strategies. Three different scanning patterns and build orientations were adopted in this research. Tensile, hardness, the surface roughness of DMLS parts were studied and almost entirely dense under different orientations and strategies and generally higher in horizontal orientation with cross-directional strategy because of thermal history variation. The Uniaxial tensile test findings exhibit that MS has significant anisotropic tensile characteristics, dependent on the specimen orientation and scan strategy. Despite the scanning strategy utilised, the vertical orientation produced the lowest mechanical performances of MS1 parts in terms of strength values recorded compared to all other orientations. Microstructural characterisation is carried out on a sample by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope (OM) to analyse the fractured surface defects and pores, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) is used to determine the phase transformations. Understanding the impact of various build orientations in tensile, hardness, Surface quality shall enable the manufacturer to use the DMLS process to produce higher-quality MS1 parts.

KEYWORDS:

• Direct metal laser sintering
• additive manufacturing
• maraging steel
• scan strategies
• build orientations

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article. Any further information can be obtained from the corresponding author, Satish Prakash Karlapudy (e-mail: [email protected]), upon request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Satish Prakash Karlapudy

Mr Satish Prakash Karlapudy is a Research scholar at JNT University Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India, M.Tech from JNT University Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India and B. Tech Mechanical Engineering from ANU Guntur. He is having 15 years of experience in Teaching and Research. His research interests are Rapid Prototyping, Composites, and Optimization. He is published 5 research papers in reputed journals and conferences.

T. Nancharaiah

Dr. Nancharaiah Tata is presently working as Professor in Mechanical Engineering Department at Bapatla Engineering College, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, India. He received a doctoral degree in 2010 from JNTUH, Hyderabad. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Andhra University in 2000 and his post-graduation degree in Production Engineering from Acharya Nagarjuna University in 2004. His area of interest is Rapid Prototyping, CAD/CAM, advanced manufacturing systems, Design, and Optimization.He is published more than 40 research papers in reputed journals and conferences.

V. V. Subba Rao

Dr. V.V Subba Rao completed his BE in Mechanical from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi. He received his ME in machine design, from Bangalore University, Bangalore. He received his doctoral degree from the IIT Kharagpur, in 2004. He completed his post doctorial in 2012 from the Korea University, South Korea. His core research area is machine design, composite materials, optimization, and advanced manufacturing systems. Presently, he is working as a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada.He is published more than 40 research papers in reputed journals and conferences.