Comparison of Scan Strategies for Side Roughness Optimization of Al6061-Zr Alloy Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF), Benefits and Drawbacks on Different Part Profiles

Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) is an additive manufacturing process that allows to build parts by solidifying powder bed, layer layer, with a laser. This approach offers the possibility complex geometries. However, due succession of layers, use as raw material and melt pool dynamic, surface roughness generated through this limitation for some applications. Several works have been conducted improve improving scan strategies such contouring, compensation optimization. these improvements are mostly applied on usual materials simple The aim work was i) compare obtained cubes high performance aluminium alloy (6061-Zr) cast (AlSi7Mg), ii) apply optimization strategy 6061-Zr iii) typical L-PBF geometries without strategies. study shows LPBF using Al6061-Zr produces higher than AlSi7Mg (+16 %). used allowed be reduced (-63 %) well obtaining better circularity more homogeneous surface. It also shown weaknesses specific geometrical shapes.