Process Optimization and Tailored Mechanical Properties of a Nuclear Zr-4 Alloy Fabricated via Laser Powder Bed Fusion.

A nuclear Zr-4 alloy with a near full density was fabricated via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The influences of process parameters on the printability, surface roughness, and mechanical properties of the LPBF-printed Zr-4 alloy were investigated. The results showed that the relative density of the Zr-4 alloy samples was greater than 99.