Optimization of parameters in laser powder deposition AlSi10Mg alloy using Taguchi method

• Published in: Optics and laser technology 2019-04, Vol.111, p.470-480
• Main Authors: Liu, Yang, Liu, Chao, Liu, Wensheng, Ma, Yunzhu, Tang, Siwei, Liang, Chaoping, Cai, Qingshan, Zhang, Cheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloys; AlSi10Mg; Aluminum base alloys; ANOVA; Density; Deposition; Flow velocity; Gas flow; Laser powder deposition; Lasers; Process optimization; Process parameters; Regression analysis; Shielding; Taguchi; Taguchi methods; Variance analysis
• ISSN: 0030-3992; 1879-2545
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2018.10.030

[Display omitted] •AlSi10Mg alloy was fabricated by powder-delivery laser powder deposition process.•The process parameters for the highest densification of AlSi10Mg is optimized.•An almost fully dense LPD AlSi10Mg alloy was obtained.•The regression equation is given and percentage of error is less than 1%. In this study, AlSi10Mg alloy were prepared by powder-delivery laser powder deposition (LPD) process. In order to obtain AlSi10Mg alloy with maximum density, LPD parameters were optimized using Taguchi method. Results were analyzed based on the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios and analyses of variance (ANOVA). The optimal combination of parameters was laser power of 150 W, scanning speed of 400 mm/min, powder feeding rate of 0.78 g/min and shielding gas flow rate of 7 L/min. The dominant parameter was the laser power which contributes 49.43% to the relative density. Additionally, the regression equation was established based on the output parameter (relative density) and the four input process parameters, and validated by the obtained results. From the experiments, sample with density higher than 99% was obtained. The investigation will help to establish an efficient process for AlSi10Mg alloy fabricated by LPD.