Data set of SLM processing EN AW 7075 aluminium alloy

Experiment Description:

The samples were fabricated using an Aconity MINI selective laser melting (SLM) machine. The fabrication process was carried out on an aluminum substrate within an inert atmosphere of inert gas to prevent oxidation and contamination during the build.

A series of builds were conducted to study the influence of substrate preheating and different processing parameters on the resulting microstructure and macrostructure defects. Samples were produced under four different conditions: without preheating (room temperature), and with preheating initiated at 100 °C, 200 °C, and 400 °C. These controlled thermal environments enabled a systematic investigation into the effect of base plate temperature on the processing behavior and microstructural evolution of the EN AW 7075 alloy during the SLM process. Complementing the experimental work, a simulation study was conducted using the Netfabb Simulation program. This study focused on modeling the heat distribution and displacement during the SLM process, offering additional insights into thermal gradients, stress development, and overall process dynamics.

Proces parameters used:

Dataset Description:

The experimental data presented in this repository were generated using an Aconity MINI selective laser melting (SLM) machine equipped with a preheating stage capable of reaching up to 800 °C. This setup allowed for controlled thermal environments during the additive manufacturing of EN AW 7075 aluminum alloy. 

Dataset Contents:

• Article Figures: This folder includes raw Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) data and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images as presented in the related article.

• Light Microscopy Figures: Cross-sectional images captured via light microscopy of samples processed at varying base plate temperatures (room temperature, 100 °C, 200 °C, and 400 °C), highlighting the microstructural changes induced by different thermal conditions during SLM. Using Zeiss Axio imager 2 (Zeiss Oberkochen Germany)

• SEM Microscopy Figures: High-resolution SEM images of cross-sections processed at the same temperature intervals as above. These images provide detailed insight into the microstructural features formed during the SLM process. Zeiss CrossBeam 550 FIBSEM (Zeiss Oberkochen Germany)

• EBSD and GROD Results: Data from Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) and Grain Orientation Distribution (GROD) analyses conducted on the SEM cross-sectional images. These results offer in-depth crystallographic information of the printed samples across the tested temperatures.

• Netfabb Simulation Results: Simulation outputs from Autodesk Netfabb illustrating heat distribution and displacement profiles during and after the SLM process. These results are critical for understanding thermal behavior and residual stress formation.

• PSD Raw Data: Raw measurements from Particle Size Distribution (PSD) analysis of the EN AW 7075 alloy powder used in the experiments, useful for understanding the input material characteristics.

• PSD Report: A PDF document summarizing the PSD analysis, including statistical data, measurement methods, and graphical representations of the particle size distribution.

This dataset supports research on process optimization, material behavior under high-temperature additive manufacturing conditions, and advanced characterization techniques for aluminum alloys processed by SLM.

Article Availability

The research article associated with this dataset is available as an open-access publication: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19050970