Study of melt pool geometry and solidification microstructure during laser surface melting of Inconel 625 alloy

The present study aims to comprehend thermo-fluid conditions during laser surface melting (LSM) of Inconel 625 (IN625) alloy using experimental and numerical modelling approaches. Nine tracks were melted on an IN625 plate at different laser powers and scan speeds. Melt pool geometry and grain morphology were evaluated using microscopy techniques. A 3-D finite volume model based on heat conduction solidification equation (HCS model) was used to simulate LSM process. Further, HCS model was expanded to include effects of fluid dynamics (HCS-FD model). Both the numerical models were used to predict melt pool geometry, peak temperatures, temperature gradients and cooling rates. The error in predictions of melt pool geometry from the HCS-FD model was lower when compared to the HCS model. The velocity vectors show a strong surface tension driven flow which has resulted in narrow and deeper melt pools in agreement with the cross sectional images of the melted tracks. Further, solidification characteristics were interpreted to obtain inferences about grain size and morphology.