Study of energy density equations used in Laser Powder Bed Fusion

• Grant number: 22/15072-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2022
• End date: May 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Physical Metallurgy
• Principal Investigator: Piter Gargarella
• Grantee: Luís Guilherme Santagnelo Nogueira
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/27031-4 - Effect of process parameters on the metallurgical characteristics of additive-manufactured alloys, AP.JP

Abstract

The production of metallic components using LASER Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) depends on an immense variety of process parameters that can be related to the material, powder characteristics, process and equipament parameters. Based on this, the energy density (ED) imposed during L-PBF can be calculated and its use as a normalizing (or optimizing) parameter of the process by some researchers stands out. ED could even work as such a parameter in this process, indicating the energy needed to produce dense parts regardless of the characteristics of the material and machine used, but some studies have pointed out that the existing equations are still not adequate. Thus, the present work aims to evaluate the ED equations present in the scientific literature and verify which of them are more suitable for normalizing and, later, optimizing the L-PBF process. Based on these analyses, suggestions for improvement will be proposed and, if possible, a new equation for calculating ED will be determined.