Effects of Scanning Strategies, Part Orientation, and Hatching Distance on the Porosity and Hardness of AlSi10Mg Parts Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion

Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) shows potential in metal additive manufacturing for producing complex components. However, achieving ideal hardness and minimizing porosity poses a significant challenge. This study explores the impact of part orientation, scanning methods, and hatching distance on th...

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Main Authors: Naol Dessalegn Dejene, Wakshum Mekonnen Tucho, Hirpa G. Lemu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/9/3/78
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author Naol Dessalegn Dejene
Wakshum Mekonnen Tucho
Hirpa G. Lemu
author_facet Naol Dessalegn Dejene
Wakshum Mekonnen Tucho
Hirpa G. Lemu
author_sort Naol Dessalegn Dejene
collection DOAJ
description Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) shows potential in metal additive manufacturing for producing complex components. However, achieving ideal hardness and minimizing porosity poses a significant challenge. This study explores the impact of part orientation, scanning methods, and hatching distance on the hardness and porosity of AlSi10Mg alloy produced through L-PBF. Utilizing a Box–Behnken design of experiments (DOE), cubic samples were systematically produced. Hardness was quantitatively assessed using Vickers hardness tests, while porosity measurements involved 2D image analysis of polished scanning electron microscopy (SEM) samples, the porosity percentages analyzed using ImageJ software. The results demonstrate that both scanning strategy and hatching distance significantly influence hardness and porosity. The spiral scanning pattern notably enhances hardness and reduces porosity. In contrast, the bidirectional scanning strategy results in lower hardness and more pronounced porosity formations. An inverse correlation between grain size distribution and hardness was observed, with finer grain sizes leading to higher hardness values, indicating that grain refinement improves mechanical properties. Additionally, a negative relationship between hardness and porosity was established, emphasizing the importance of minimizing porosity to enhance material hardness. These findings contribute to the overall understanding of the L-PBF additive manufacturing process, providing valuable insights for optimizing material properties and ensuring the mechanical integrity of high-performance L-PBF produced metal parts.
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spelling doaj-art-ddd5535988bd4a4994c87705ce7bcedd2025-08-20T02:42:31ZengMDPI AGJournal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing2504-44942025-02-01937810.3390/jmmp9030078Effects of Scanning Strategies, Part Orientation, and Hatching Distance on the Porosity and Hardness of AlSi10Mg Parts Produced by Laser Powder Bed FusionNaol Dessalegn Dejene0Wakshum Mekonnen Tucho1Hirpa G. Lemu2Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering & Technology, Wollega University, Nekemte P.O. Box 395, EthiopiaDepartment of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science, University of Stavanger, N-4036 Stavanger, NorwayDepartment of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science, University of Stavanger, N-4036 Stavanger, NorwayLaser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) shows potential in metal additive manufacturing for producing complex components. However, achieving ideal hardness and minimizing porosity poses a significant challenge. This study explores the impact of part orientation, scanning methods, and hatching distance on the hardness and porosity of AlSi10Mg alloy produced through L-PBF. Utilizing a Box–Behnken design of experiments (DOE), cubic samples were systematically produced. Hardness was quantitatively assessed using Vickers hardness tests, while porosity measurements involved 2D image analysis of polished scanning electron microscopy (SEM) samples, the porosity percentages analyzed using ImageJ software. The results demonstrate that both scanning strategy and hatching distance significantly influence hardness and porosity. The spiral scanning pattern notably enhances hardness and reduces porosity. In contrast, the bidirectional scanning strategy results in lower hardness and more pronounced porosity formations. An inverse correlation between grain size distribution and hardness was observed, with finer grain sizes leading to higher hardness values, indicating that grain refinement improves mechanical properties. Additionally, a negative relationship between hardness and porosity was established, emphasizing the importance of minimizing porosity to enhance material hardness. These findings contribute to the overall understanding of the L-PBF additive manufacturing process, providing valuable insights for optimizing material properties and ensuring the mechanical integrity of high-performance L-PBF produced metal parts.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/9/3/78additive manufacturinglaser powder bed fusionAlSi10Mg alloyporosityhardnesshatching distance
spellingShingle Naol Dessalegn Dejene
Wakshum Mekonnen Tucho
Hirpa G. Lemu
Effects of Scanning Strategies, Part Orientation, and Hatching Distance on the Porosity and Hardness of AlSi10Mg Parts Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing
additive manufacturing
laser powder bed fusion
AlSi10Mg alloy
porosity
hardness
hatching distance
title Effects of Scanning Strategies, Part Orientation, and Hatching Distance on the Porosity and Hardness of AlSi10Mg Parts Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
title_full Effects of Scanning Strategies, Part Orientation, and Hatching Distance on the Porosity and Hardness of AlSi10Mg Parts Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
title_fullStr Effects of Scanning Strategies, Part Orientation, and Hatching Distance on the Porosity and Hardness of AlSi10Mg Parts Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Scanning Strategies, Part Orientation, and Hatching Distance on the Porosity and Hardness of AlSi10Mg Parts Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
title_short Effects of Scanning Strategies, Part Orientation, and Hatching Distance on the Porosity and Hardness of AlSi10Mg Parts Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
title_sort effects of scanning strategies part orientation and hatching distance on the porosity and hardness of alsi10mg parts produced by laser powder bed fusion
topic additive manufacturing
laser powder bed fusion
AlSi10Mg alloy
porosity
hardness
hatching distance
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/9/3/78
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