Cracks formation in nickel-based single crystal alloy manufactured by selective laser melting

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of selective laser melting (SLM) process parameters on the formation of cracks in nickel-based single crystal alloy. Several sets of laser scanning parameters, with varied laser power, scanning speed and hatch distance, thus resulting in different volumetric and linear energy densities, were investigated. The relationship between energy density, specimen densification, cracks formation and evolution of directional microstructure was shown. It was found that higher linear energy density results in fewer cracking and defects. Cracking in lower energy samples was attributed to the formation of thermal shrinkage pores in the interdendritic spaces and precipitation of Ta, Mo and Nb carbides along the dendrites boundaries.