Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 March 2011
A two-dimensional thermal model for a commercial laser additive manufacturing (LAM) process has been developed to predict the thermal history of Laser Formed Ti-6Al-4V single line (rib-on-web) builds. The thermal model has been developed to assist in the prediction and interpretation of the as-processed microstructure, which evolves as a result of the complex thermal history that develops as a result of the deposition of multiple layers of material. In the current work, the model is used to show that the presence of layer bands is a result of different regions in the build experiencing varying super b transus time, temperature, and cooling rate conditions within different regions in the build.