Investigation of the melt track geometry during selective laser melting of CuSn10

Abstract

CuSn10 alloy, has remarkable mechanical properties, including good elongation and medium hardness. Additive manufacturing of this powder compound is developing on a fast slope. In this paper, the optimization of the process parameters of the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) method was carried out to manufacture CuSn10 compounds. In addition, a numerical model for the simulation of the melt pool behaviour was created by utilizing Ansys 2021 R1 software, and a comparison was carried out between predicted numerical data with achieved experimental results. The formation conditions of various melt traces were modelled, measured, and validated for this aim. In the experimental stage, a constant laser power of 95 W was used, and the effect of variation of the scanning speed was studied between 10 to 1500 mm.s−1. Results showed that the variation of the scanning speed is not enough, and optimisation must be applied by participating in other process parameters. It indicates that by adjusting the process parameters to have a 365 W power, the liquid phase can be achieved in the production process.