Evolution of temperature and residual stress behavior in selective laser melting of 316L stainless steel across a cooling channel

Purpose The current investigation aims at observing the influence of the cooling channel on the thermal and residual stress behavior of the selective laser melting (SLM)316L uni-layer thermo-mechanical model. Design/methodology/approach On a thermo-mechanical model with a cooling channel, the effect of scanning direction, parallel and perpendicular and scan spacing was simulated. The effect of underlying solid and powder bases was evaluated on residual stress profile and thermal variables at various locations. Findings The high heat dissipation of solid base due to high cooling rates and steep thermal gradients can reciprocate with smaller melt pool temperature and melt pool size. Given the same scan spacing, residual stresses were found lower when laser scanning was perpendicular to the cooling channel. Moreover, large scan spacing was found to increase residual stresses. Originality/value Cooling channels are increasingly being used in additive manufacturing; however, their effect on the residual stress behavior of the SLM component is not extensively studied. This research can serve as a foundation for further inquiries into the impact of base material design such as cooling channels on manufactured components using SLM.