Transient temperature evolution of Selective Laser Melting process based on multilayer finite element model

A multilayer transient temperature finite element model of Selective Laser Melting was established. This model took account of the temperature-material properties and the powder-to-solid transition by converting the powder thermophysical properties to the solid thermophysical properties. The FE model consisted of two layers of elements. The simulation results are in good agreement with the single track experiment result. The effects of scan speed (0.2 m/s, 0.4 m/s, 0.6 m/s) and laser power (80 W, 100 W, 120 W) on the temperature field were investigated. Simulation results show that the point of peak temperature slightly shifted toward the back of the laser beam rather than the center of laser beam when the laser beam moves. The peak temperature as well as the thermal gradient increases with increasing laser power and decreasing scan speed.