On the dendrite growth simulation during multitrack selective laser melting process

The evolution of the microstructure in the selective laser melting (SLM) process is investigated in the framework of a multiscale approach. The kinetic equation for the phase-field (order parameter) coupled with the energy transfer equation is used to describe the crystallization processes. To study the effect of technological parameters on the microstructure of the synthesized product, and to establish a connection between the models of macro- and micro-scale through the temperature gradient, numerical studies of macro processes in the formation of a series of parallel SLM tracks were carried out. It is shown that the adjustment of the laser power level changes the temperature dynamics in the test areas, which, in turn, through the changed temperature gradients affects the evolution of the microstructure in the micro-scale model. The calculations showed that the implemented numerical model qualitatively describes the kinetics of crystallization and formation of microstructures in the SLM process. (paper)