Microstructure and mechanical properties of selective laser melted magnesium

► Microstructure characteristic of the laser-melted magnesium is dependent on the grain size. ► The grains in the molten zone coarsen as the laser energy density increases. ► The average hardness values of the molten zone decreased significantly with an increase of the laser energy densities and then decreased slowly at a relatively high laser energy density irrespective of mode of irradiation. ► The hardness value was obtained from 0.59 to 0.95 GPa and corresponding elastic modulus ranging from 27 to 33 GPa.