Surface quality improvement at selective laser melting AlSi10Mg by optimizing single point diamond turning parameters

Abstract Selective laser melting allows aluminum-silicon alloy mirrors further lightweight for aerospace applications. The reflective surfaces based on Selective laser melting aluminum-silicon alloy substrates are commonly machined by single point diamond turning. However, many surface defects on single point diamond turning machined surfaces may limit their direct applications in optical system. In the paper, single point diamond turning parameters (cutting depth, feed rate, and cutting speed) are optimized orderly to improve its surface quality. The single point diamond turning machined surface morphologies are measured by using white light profilometer. In our selective laser melting AlSi 10 Mg substrate, scratches and holes mainly damaged single point diamond turning surface. Scratches are caused by inclusions while holes are generated by gas pores and inclusions. Single point diamond turning parameters optimization reduces the density of such surface defects, but these defects cannot be eliminated totally.