Modeling SEBM process of tantalum lattices

Abstract

Purpose Selective electron beam melting (SEBM) is one of the popular powder-bed additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. The purpose of this paper is to develop a simulation strategy for SEBM process to get data which are vital for realistic failure prediction and process parameters control for real complex components. Design/methodology/approach Focusing on the SEBM process of tantalum, this paper presents a three-dimensional thermo-mechanical modeling strategy based on ABAQUS and its subroutines. The simulation strategy used in this paper is developed for SEBM process of pure tantalum but could be extended to other AM fabrication technologies and other metals without difficulties. Findings The simulation of multi-track multi-layer SEBM process of tantalum was carried out to predict the temperature field, the molten pool evolution and the residual stress distribution. The key information such as inter-track molten pool overlapping ratio and inter-layer refusion state can be extracted from the obtained molten pool morphologies, which are vital for realistic failure prediction and process parameters control for real components. The authors finally demonstrate the capability of the strategy used by simulating a 2 mm × 2 mm × 10 mm lattice structure with total 200 layers. Originality/value The simulation of multi-track multi-layer SEBM process of tantalum was carried out. The key information such as inter-track molten pool overlapping ratio and inter-layer refusion state can be extracted. The authors finally demonstrate the capability of the strategy used by simulating a lattice structure. Not only temperature distribution but also stress evolution are captured. Our simulation strategy is developed for the SEBM process of pure tantalum, but it could be extended to other AM fabrication technologies and other metals without difficulties.