Process optimization of selective laser melting nickel-based superalloy

The experimental design Taguchi method and response surface methodology were used to optimize the process parameters of the selective laser melting for Ni-based superalloy (laser power, scanning speed and scanning spacing). The effect of the process parameters on the relative density of the final samples was determined by using the relative density as the evaluation standard. Based on the analysis of variance, signal-to-noise ratio, main effect diagram, and response curve, the effects of the process parameters and the parameter interactions on the relative density of samples were evaluated. In the results, the effects of the process parameters on the relative density of the final samples vary greatly, the scanning spacing shows the largest effect, followed by laser power and scanning speed. In addition, the interaction between scanning speed and scanning spacing is also significant for the effect on the sample relative density. The best process parameters obtained by two different optimization methods are the same as the laser power is 280 W, the scanning speed is 1000 mm·s⁻¹, and the scanning spacing is 0.12 mm.