Track evolution and surface characteristics of selective laser melting Ti6Al4V

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the track evolution and surface characteristics of selective laser melting Ti 6 Al 4 V. Design/methodology/approach In the present paper, Ti 6 Al 4 V single-track, multi-track and bulk sample were formed at different scanning speed by selective laser melting (SLM). Then, the surface morphology, three-dimension profile and surface roughness were evaluated. The width of the single and multi-track was measured and compared. Findings The results showed that the heat accumulation played a great role on the evolution of tracks and surface characteristics from single-track to multi-track and to bulk. The surface morphology of the subsequent tracks became more regular when the single-track was irregular at the same high scanning speed. The width of last track Wn was always larger than that of the first track W1. The Ra of the top of the bulk increased with the increase of the scanning speed, this trend was as same as the Ra of the single-track, but the trend of Ra of the side was opposite. Originality/value The effect of heat accumulation on the track evolution and surface characteristics is obtained. The results can help to derive a smooth surface with a regular and continuous track in SLM.