Effect of SLM process parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of AlSi10Mg alloy: a PCA approach
Ravindra E. Gite1, Vishnu D. Wakchaure1, Prashant N. Nagare1, Sujit B. Chaudhari2 and Suraj B. Kadhane3
Department of Mechanical Engineering,Amrutvahini College of Engineering, Sangamner, Ghulewadi,Maharashtra,India1
Department of Mechanical Engineering,Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering and Research, Ravet, Pune,Maharashtra,India2
Department of Mechanical Engineering,Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani,Rajasthan,India3
Department of Mechanical Engineering,Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering and Research, Ravet, Pune,Maharashtra,India2
Department of Mechanical Engineering,Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani,Rajasthan,India3
Corresponding Author : Ravindra E. Gite
Recieved : 23-January-2025; Revised : 23-February-2026; Accepted : 24-February-2026
Abstract
AlSi10Mg alloy is recognized for its excellent properties, including low density, superior corrosion resistance, good mechanical strength, high thermal conductivity, and strong compatibility with additive manufacturing (AM). These attributes make it a suitable and versatile material for applications in the automotive and aerospace industries. The optimal combination and influence of process parameters such as laser power, scan speed, hatch spacing, and border laser power significantly affect structural properties, including ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength, scratch resistance, density, ductility, and surface finish. Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of these parameters on the microstructure and structural properties of the printed samples. The laser power ranged from 250 W to 300 W, scan speed varied from 1800 mm/s to 2200 mm/s, hatch spacing ranged from 60 µm to 100 µm, and border laser power was varied between 325 W and 375 W. In this study, principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to determine the optimal printing process parameters, identify the most influential factors, and evaluate their impact on the quality of fabricated AlSi10Mg components. The microstructure and structural properties of the as-built (untreated) samples were examined. The findings indicate that laser power and scan speed together account for 73.34% of the total variation and play a fundamental role in enhancing product quality. The results also confirm that PCA is an effective tool for optimizing process parameters.
Keywords
AlSi10Mg alloy, Additive manufacturing, Laser process parameters, Principal component analysis (PCA), Microstructure, Mechanical properties.
Cite this article
Gite RE, Wakchaure VD, Nagare PN, Chaudhari SB, Kadhane SB. Effect of SLM process parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of AlSi10Mg alloy: a PCA approach. International Journal of Advanced Technology and Engineering Exploration. 2026;13(135):160-188. DOI : 10.19101/IJATEE.2025.121220110
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