Effect of scanning methods on the cracking of the DZ125L superalloy in laser direct metal forming

The effect of scanning methods on stress distribution and cracking of the DZ125L superalloy thin-wall structures is investigated numerically and experimentally. The results demonstrate that the stress distribution is not uniform in single-direction scanning method, which leads to warping in both sides of the structures and cracking in the middle regions. However, in back-and-forth scanning method, the stress distribution is relatively uniform, and the fabricated parts have smooth surface without any warping or cracking.