Optimization of the Process Parameters of Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion GTD222 Nickel-Based Superalloy Based on Two Laser Energy Densities

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The paper is devoted to the effect study of laser energy density on the roughness, porosity, density 235 and hardness of SLM GTD222 alloy. The authors of SLM process parameters for GTD222 alloy were optimized.
The main problem with this short paper is that it doesn't look exactly like a scientific article. It looks more like a report on an applied pilot study, which was carried out in the process of working in a factory in order to debug the production process. This text does not yet have any wider, universal meaning. If I am not working with GTD222 why should I be interested in this paper?
In my opinion, the text of the paper should be reformulated in such a way that the results obtained are of interest to a wider readership.

Author Response

Dear Editors and Reviewers: 

Thank you very much for your letter and these helpful comments about our manuscript entitled “Optimization of process parameters of selective laser melted GTD222 Nickel-base superalloy based on two laser energy densities” (ID: metals-1779292). We have made, as appended below, point-by-point responds to your comments, and revised the manuscript following the suggestions. The changes are highlighted in the text using yellow background. Thank you very much and looking forward to your further decision.

Reviewer #1:

Q1. The main problem with this short paper is that it doesn't look exactly like a scientific article. It looks more like a report on an applied pilot study, which was carried out in the process of working in a factory in order to debug the production process. This text does not yet have any wider, universal meaning. If I am not working with GTD222 why should I be interested in this paper? In my opinion, the text of the paper should be reformulated in such a way that the results obtained are of interest to a wider readership.

Response: Thanks very much for your comment. GTD222 alloy is a typical precipitation – strengthened Ni-base superalloy. The optimization method of process parameters for GTD222 alloy in the paper is suitable for the process optimization of selective laser melting of other similar alloys, such as IN718 alloy, CM247 alloy, IN939 alloy and IN738 alloy. Therefore, we consider the result of the paper can provide a reference for the researchers in the field. And we have explained it in the introduction, discussion and conclusions.

Reviewer 2 Report

Manuscript numbered “metals-1779292” has been reviewed:

Please use the standard terminologies of ASTM/ISO 52900 for the correct terminologies of the Additive Manufacturing process. Use, laser beam powder bed fusion (LBPBF) instead of selective laser melting (SLM).

The introduction needs some improvements.

Please add a suitable scale bar for figures.

Results have been just reported, please compare your findings with other research.

Please add a section for the economic study of the process.

There are no results and information about optimization. Please add a section for it.

Fallowing papers are suggested for the introduction and result section:

Modelling of laser powder bed fusion process and analysing the effective parameters on surface characteristics of Ti-6Al-4V

Study of anisotropy through microscopy, internal friction and electrical resistivity measurements of Ti-6Al-4V samples fabricated by selective laser melting

Study on the influence of process parameters on high performance Ti-6Al-4V parts in laser powder bed fusion

Optimisation of single contour strategy in selective laser melting of Ti-6Al-4V lattices

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Dear Authors,

The article is interesting but it require few changes:

1. In introduction you didnt refer in enough way to the roughness analysis what is one of the key point in your Article. I strongly recomment to add analysis in 2-3 article (recommended: Multiscale Analysis of Surface Texture Quality of Models Manufactured by Laser Powder-Bed Fusion Technology and Machining from 316L Steel, DOI 10.3390/ma14112794)

2. I dont think that abstract should provide so detailed information like Ed and its value etc. I recommend to put more overall information about the article. 

3. Please provide more information about 3D printers (company, platform, parameters)

4. Please provide in a more clear way the number of samples for the test and how many samples were produced with the same printing parameters, it is not clear and do not help for proper analysis. 

5. Figure 1 could presents in a more clear way the printing scanning paths.

6. For equations 1 and 2 please provide Units for all variable.

7. Could you please explain more about the hardness for point 3.4 where in the discussion you mentioned that density influences hardness and nothing more. 

regards,

Reviewer

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors have done a great job trying to take into account the comments of the reviewers. The article has definitely improved significantly and I believe it can be published.

Reviewer 2 Report

The authors have addressed previous comments. The paper is good in present form for publication.

Reviewer 3 Report

Dear Authors,

The article is improved and I recommend to publish it in presented form.

Regards,

Reviewer