INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF SCAN VECTOR LENGTH ON RESIDUAL STRESSES IN SELECTIVE LASER MELTING OF MARAGING STEEL 300

Authors

  • Lameck Mugwagwa Stellenbosch University http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7898-9830
  • Dimiter Dimitrov Stellenbosch University
  • Stephen Matope Stellenbosch University
  • Igor Yadroitsev Central University of Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7166/30-4-2096

Keywords:

Selective laser melting, residual stresses, porosity, neutron diffraction

Abstract

Selective laser melting scanning strategies influence the quality characteristics of parts, such as form accuracy and residual stresses. Previous research on the effect of laser scanning strategy parameters (such as scan vector length) demonstrates that residual stresses decrease with scan vector length reduction. However, most of these studies overlook the associated porosity and how this can contribute to stress relief. In this work, three scan vector lengths were compared to evaluate their impact on residual stresses, achievable part density, and scanning time. Reducing the scan vector length generally lowers residual stresses magnitudes, but introduces porosity as a result of localised overheating.

Author Biographies

Lameck Mugwagwa, Stellenbosch University

Industrial Engineering

Dimiter Dimitrov, Stellenbosch University

Industrial Engineering

Stephen Matope, Stellenbosch University

Industrial Engineering

Igor Yadroitsev, Central University of Technology

Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering

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Published

2019-12-12

How to Cite

Mugwagwa, L., Dimitrov, D., Matope, S., & Yadroitsev, I. (2019). INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF SCAN VECTOR LENGTH ON RESIDUAL STRESSES IN SELECTIVE LASER MELTING OF MARAGING STEEL 300. The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 30(4), 60–70. https://doi.org/10.7166/30-4-2096

Issue

Section

General Articles