A study of microstructure and cracking behavior of H13 tool steel produced by laser powder bed fusion using single-tracks, multi-track pads, and 3D cubes

This study investigated laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing of H13 tool steel to identify how laser power (P) and scan speed (V) influenced melt pool geometry, microstructure, and susceptibility to cracking. Sequential studies from tracks, pads to 3D cubes were performed. Tracks and pads were made by laser scan on H13 build plates with and without powder addition. P-V windows were identified where keyholing, balling and...