Select laser melting of W–Ni–Fe powders: simulation and experimental study

Using W, Ni, and Fe powders as raw materials, selective laser melting (SLM) technology was considered for fabrication of 90W–7Ni–3Fe parts in one step. The investigation into simulation of temperature field of SLM W–Ni–Fe powder system was highlighted. Effects of processing parameters of scan velocity, laser power, scan interval, and preheating process on temperature field distribution were studied through establishing a 3D model based on finite element analysis theory. The simulation results show that a lower thickness, narrower scan interval, and a slower scan velocity tend to improve the temperature in powder bed. Moreover, the parameter range in which the maximum temperature in powder bed could reach up to the melting point of W (about 3,420°C) was obtained. Experiments on different processing parameters were carried out, and a good agreement with the simulation results could be found.