Columnar grain width control for SS316L via hatch spacing manipulation in laser powder bed fusion

This study provides a quantitative way to tailor the grain structure in laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Square-bottomed columnar grains (SCGs) were developed with a certain width roughly equal to the hatch spacing. The development of SCGs relied on different distinguishable regions, which were identified based on the differences in microstructural features between the melt-pool side and centreline. High lattice rotation accumulated at the melt-pool centreline, leading to grain boundaries forming at the centreline regions. The ultrasonic attenuation measurements and microhardness tests further validated the controllable properties. The findings indicated a novel approach to customise the material property. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT IMPACT STATEMENT A method to quantitatively control the columnar grain width in laser powder bed fusion was uncovered. The controllable properties were indicated, and the formation mechanism was revealed.