The Mechanism of Forming Coagulated Particles in Selective Laser Melting of Cobalt-Chromium-Molybdenum Powder

Abstract

Selective laser melting (SLM) is thought to be a prospective manufacturing technology of complex metal components. Formation of coagulated particles when melting is reported to be an important factor for target mechanical properties of the end product. This paper discusses the effect of SLM parameters, including laser output power, laser movement velocity, preheating temperature of the powder, laser beam diameter on the mechanism of forming coagulated particles in melting cobalt-chromium-molybdenum powdered material. The study shows that a rise of power to 60 W at a scanning velocity 6 mm/s causes coagulated particles to expand to 350 μm; that is far bigger than a size of powder in as delivered state (90 μm). The work investigates the effect of mechanical activation of cobalt-chromium-molybdenum powder on dimensions of coagulated particles. The research data can be applied to the improvement of up-to-date optimization approaches to manufacturing process parameters in SLM technology.