Band-Like Distribution of Grains in Selective Laser Melting Track Under Keyhole Mode

Grain structure in the melt pool under keyhole mode is complex due to complicated solidified conditions, especially in consideration of the intense fluid flow. This paper aims to clarify grain structure and grain growth mechanism in melt pool under keyhole mode in selective laser melting. The microstructure from transverse cross section and longitudinal cross section near the centerline of 316L single tracks was characterized. In the longitudinal cross section, band-like grain structure formed. It is found that fluid flow can refine the grains, and large columnar grains grow towards crystallographic 〈110〉 direction.