Effect of Power and Scanning Speed on the Morphology of a Single Track Melt Pool under Dynamic Laser Beam Focusing in Additive Manufacturing

Actuality . LPBF (laser powder layer fusion) is a modern additive manufacturing technology that allows you to quickly and accurately manufacture complex metal parts with minimal material waste. The study of single tracks formed during local melting of powder by a laser is a key method for optimizing process parameters and verifying the operation of 3D printers. This approach remains relevant due to the influence of technical features of the equipment, protective gases and chemical composition of materials, as well as for expanding the knowledge base on the crystallization processes of known alloys. Objective of the study : An experiment was conducted in the format of single tracks using 60 combinations of technological modes in 13 positions on the build platform. The analysis used optical microscopy methods after chemical etching (Culling reagent No. 2) and statistical data processing using polynomial regression. Results . It was found that the key influence on the depth and width of the melt pool is the scanning speed, while the power acts more linearly. The microstructure features depending on the position on the platform were revealed, which is associated with optical deviations of the laser beam from the vertical axis. Conclusion . The results obtained allow us to determine the technological window for the formation of defect-free tracks and contribute to the optimization of processes in laser additive manufacturing.