Comprehensive effects of placement orientation and scanning angle on mechanical properties and behavior of 316L stainless steel based on the selective laser melting process

In theory, selective laser melting (SLM) technology can fabricate various materials, including numerous metals. The mechanical properties of parts exhibit comprehensive performance, affected by many influence parameters, which are not independent, but rather demonstrate unclear and complex interactions. This paper focuses on two influence parameters, namely the placement orientation and hatch scanning angle, to explore the comprehensive effects on the mechanical properties and behaviors of 316L stainless steel. Based on the SLM process, two relevant experiments are conducted to determine the optimal placement orientation and hatch scanning angle sequentially. The results and analyses of the tensile strength, microhardness, phase constitution, and microstructure, are reported to provide reasonable explanations. The research indicates that optimal placement orientation can be obtained when the fabrication direction is perpendicular to the tensile direction. Moreover, the optimal hatch scanning angle for each slice layer is approximately 30° based on the optimal placement orientation, which can enhance the mechanical properties of SLM-based printed parts. •Comprehensive effects on mechanical properties and behaviors are explored.•Fracture zone, morphology, and angle are studied by means of real experiments.•Optimal placement orientation and hatch scanning angle are investigated.•This work can enhance the mechanical properties of SLM-fabricated parts.