The　selective　laser　melting　(SLM)　has　always　been　a　challenge　due　to　the　characteristics　of　extremely　rapid　melting　and　solidification　in　the　micro　melt　pool.　Therefore,　a　three-dimensional　finite　element　model　was　developed　to　investigate　the　thermal　history　and　solidification　parameters　in　the　SLM　process.　The　model　presents　the　temperature　distribution,　molten　region　dimensions　under　different　process　parameters.　The　width,　depth　and　length　of　molten　region　are　inversely　proportional　to　the　laser　power　and　scan　speed.　And　then,　the　variations　of　solidification　parameters　with　different　laser　power　and　scan　speeds　was　discussed.　The　temperature　gradient　is　mainly　affected　by　laser　power　and　decreases　with　the　increase　of　laser　power;　the　solidification　rate　is　proportional　to　the　scan　speed.　The　cooling　rate　decreases　progressively　with　the　increase　of　the　linear　energy　density　while　solidification　morphology　parameter　is　inversely　proportional　to　laser　power　and　scan　speed,　but　fluctuates　with　the　change　of　linear　energy　density.　Single-track　experiments　demonstrate　the　accuracy　and　effectiveness　of　the　model.　Besides,　surface　quality　can　be　improved　with　the　increase　of　linear　energy　input　in　a　certain　range.　©　2019　Elsevier　GmbH