Experimental Study on Parameters Optimization of Selective Laser Melting 316L Stainless Steel Based on the Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

The use of 3D printing technology can prepare flexible and varied special-shaped complex structures while realizing resource-saving and cost reduction. For this purpose, a 316L stainless steel sample was formed by selective laser melting technology, and the quality of samples was optimized by the Box–Behnken surface response method. Taking the surface roughness Sa as the response value, a regression analysis of four parameters of selective laser melting (laser power, scanning speed, scanning spacing, and scanning strategy) was designed using design expert software. The results showed that the scanning spacing and scanning speed have the greatest influence on the surface roughness, while the laser power and scanning strategy have no significant influence on the surface roughness. Meanwhile, the established surface roughness response surface model is effective and can be used for quality optimization of 316L structural trim. When the laser power was 185 W, the scanning speed was 615 mm/s, the scanning spacing was 110 μm and concentric scanning strategy was adopted, the surface adhesion powder was less, and the minimum surface roughness Sa was 9.001 μm.