Effect of selective laser melting on microstructure and properties of AZ91D alloy

Selective laser melting technology is used to manufacture porous and solid AZ91D alloys. The effects of laser power and hatch spacing on the density, blowholes, microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91D alloy are studied. The laser power and hatch spacing play a significant role in the density and blowholes of AZ91D specimens. The grains size of specimens increases from 1 μm–2 μm to 8 μm–10 μm from the bottom to the top in single molten pool. Compared with grain size of die‐casting alloy (30 μm), that of selective laser melted gets refinement. There is no significant change in microstructure in the bottom, middle and top of specimens. The micro‐hardness of AZ91D alloy, reaching up to 115.3 HV 0.1, is superior to that of die‐casting alloy (56 HV 0.1). The compression properties of porous and solid specimens reach the degree of die‐casting solid magnesium alloy. AZ91D alloy shows the potential in the application of medical biodegradable materials.