"Suchasna Elektrometallurgiya" (Electrometallurgy Today), 2026, 2, 52-56 pages
Peculiarities of porosity formation in Ti–6Al–4V alloy during manufacturing by selective laser melting technology
S.V. Adzhamsky1
, R.V. Podolskyi2
, Z.V. Sazanishvili3
, G.A. Kononenko2
1Institute of Transport Systems and Technologies of the NASU. 5 Pysarzhevskoho Str., 49000, Dnipro, Ukraine.
E-mail: as@alt-print.com
2Z.I. Nekrasov Iron and Steel Institute of NASU.
1 Akademika Starodubova Sq., 49000, Dnipro, Ukraine
3National Technical University “Dnipro Polytechnic”.
19 Prosp. Dmytra Yavornytskoho, 49005, Dnipro, Ukraine
Abstract
This study investigates the microstructural features and pore geometry in Ti–6Al–4V alloy specimens produced by selective
laser melting under rational processing conditions. The aim of the work is to identify the relationships between key SLM technological
parameters and the mechanisms of porosity formation, as well as the spatial distribution of pores relative to the laser
track structure. The main research tasks include characterization of the materials microstructure, quantitative evaluation of
porosity, analysis of pore size, shape, clustering behavior and spatial distribution, and determination of their formation nature.
Investigations were performed on specimens produced using the recommended SLM regimes: laser power of 195 W, scanning
speed of 1000 mm/s, track spacing of 0.12 mm, and layer thickness of 40 μm. Microstructural observations were carried out by
optical microscopy, while quantitative porosity analysis, including determination of pore area, equivalent diameter, sphericity,
and distribution density, was performed using ImageJ software. It was established that pores are characterized by a heterogeneous
morphology and form both isolated inclusions and localized pore clusters spatially associated with track boundaries and
overlap zones. A clear correlation between pore sphericity and their location relative to the track structure was established for
the first time: pores with higher sphericity are mainly located within the central regions of melt pools, whereas elongated and
irregularly shaped pores tend to concentrate near track borders. These findings provide insight into pore formation mechanisms
in SLM-processed Ti–6Al–4V and can be used for further optimization of the technological parameters of additively manufacturing..
24 Ref., 2 Tabl., 3 Fig.
Keywords: SLM technology, Ti–6Al–4V, pore, discontinuity, microstructure
Received: 26.02.2026
Received in revised form: 28.04.2026
Accepted: 20.05.2026
Posted online: 27.05.2026
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Suggested Citation
S.V. Adzhamsky, R.V. Podolskyi, Z.V. Sazanishvili, G.A. Kononenko (2026) Peculiarities of porosity formation in Ti–6Al–4V alloy during manufacturing by selective laser melting technology.
Electrometallurgy Today, 02, 52-56.
https://doi.org/10.37434/sem2026.02.06
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