Mechanical property evaluation of the SLM support structure and lattice structure of SUS316L

Abstract

Selective laser melting (SLM) is one of the additive manufacturing (AM) methods which is applicable to metal. Although this technology enables to form complex inner shapes such as lattice structure, steep temperature gradients due to local laser irradiation and uneven heat conduction during the process may cause bending and cracking of the product. In this study, the influence of laser power and scanning speed on the mechanical characteristics of the support structure and lattice structure formed by SLM is investigated. In the tensile test of the support structure, a positive correlation with volumetric energy density was confirmed. In the compression test of the lattice structure, it was clear that larger amount of heat energy from the laser makes struts of lattice structure thicker and its Young's modulus higher.