Optimization of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) Additive Manufacturing Process Parameters of 316L Austenitic Stainless Steel

Selective laser melting (SLM) is a widely applied process in the metal additive manufacturing industry. The microstructure and mechanical properties of SLM products can be significantly affected by the SLM process parameters. In the present work, optimization of SLM process parameters was performed using the Taguchi optimization method for 316L austenitic stainless steel. Laser power, scan speed, layer thickness, and hatch spacing were selected as the controllable process parameters and relative density, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation as the performance evaluation characteristics. The S/N ratio analysis determined the optimum process parameters of the SLM process in 316L stainless steel. ANOVA analysis predicted that scan speed significantly affected the relative density with a 42.38% contribution and laser power showed contributions of 31.17% and 45.67% for ultimate tensile strength and elongation, respectively. The linear regression model was developed for relative density, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation with the coefficient of determination of 90.17%, 93.06%, and 81.53%, respectively.