Improvement of selective laser melting substrate surface performance via combined processing of jet electrochemical machining and jet electrodeposition

This study aimed to improve the surface of metal parts processed by additive manufacturing (AM) and meet the use requirements. The paper presents a combined processing method of jet electrochemical machining (JECM) and jet electrodeposition (JED). In this method, the surface of additive manufactured metal parts are first treated with JECM to remove defects. JED is then used to process the coating on the surface of metal parts by additive manufacturing to improve hardness, corrosion and wear resistance. This paper details the studies conducted on the effects of the current density of JECM on the roughness and hardness of the selective laser melting(SLM) substrate after JECM, as well as the properties of the coating. Experimental results show that with increased current density of JECM, the surface defects of the SLM substrate were completely removed, and a unique microporous structure of JECM was formed. The microporous structure of the post-JECM substrate mechanically linked the substrate and coating, providing improved bonding strength. When the current density of JECM increased from 0 A/cm(2) to 120 A/cm(2), the adhesive strength and hardness of the coating increased by 85% and 36%, respectively. The corrosion potential of the coating was increased from 313.3 mV to 161.2 mV.