Cellular automaton simulation of the molten pool of laser solid forming process

A two-dimensional multiscale model is presented for simulating laser melting process, which is the same as laser solid forming (LSF) without the addition of metallic powders into the molten pool. The metallurgical process in molten pool is simulated, including the temperature distribution, the pool shape, and the solidification microstructure. The shape of the molten pool and the microstructure in Fe-C single crystal substrate at a laser scanning speed of 15 mm/s is simulated. Results reveal the instability from planar interface to cellndendrite morphologies in the molten pool. At the bottom of the molten pool, the growth morphology is planar interface, which is also called bonding zone. Epitaxial dendrite arrays can be seen to grow above the bonding zone.