Ullah, AbidAbidUllahIqbal, AmjadAmjadIqbalZhang, KaiKaiZhangLiu, TingtingTingtingLiuHerzog, DirkDirkHerzogMedvedev, Alexander E.Alexander E.MedvedevMolotnikov, AndreyAndreyMolotnikovKelbassa, IngomarIngomarKelbassaBrandt, MilanMilanBrandt2026-07-242026-07-242026-07-09Materials Today Communications 54: 115701 (2026)https://hdl.handle.net/11420/64009Laser beam shaping in PBF-LB/M modifies the spatial laser energy distribution, affecting melt-pool evolution, defect formation, and mechanical response. Ti-6Al-4V was processed using Gaussian, core–ring, and ring-dominated beam profiles. Measured beam maps were used to determine the effective beam diameter in a modified energy metric (VEDM, J mm⁻² s⁻¹/²) for cross-mode comparison. Densification and pore characteristics were assessed in cubes and tensile specimens. Core–ring and ring-dominated profiles transitioned from lack-of-fusion defects at low input to near-full density at higher input, whereas Gaussian shifted toward keyhole-type porosity at the highest input. At VEDM = 332 J mm⁻² s⁻¹ /², the µCT-scanned tensile gauge regions showed lower relative density for Gaussian (∼98.6%) than for core–ring and ring-dominated conditions (∼99.8%). Tensile specimens produced with Gaussian and ring-dominated beams were tested at RT, 200 °C, and 400 °C. All conditions showed temperature-dependent softening. However, at high VEDM and 400 °C, the ring-dominated condition retained higher ductility (∼10%) than the Gaussian condition (∼7%), while maintaining a comparable peak stress. Fractography showed pore-assisted initiation in the Gaussian condition and ductile tearing with pronounced necking in the ring-dominated condition. Overall, elevated-temperature tensile performance was primarily associated with pore type and severity, while VED<inf>M</inf> provides a practical framework for cross-mode comparison.en2352-49282026Elsevierhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Additive manufacturingHigh-temperature tensile propertiesLaser beam shapingPBF-LB/MRelative densityTi-6Al-4VTechnology::620: Engineering::620.1: Engineering Mechanics and Materials ScienceJournal Article10.1016/j.mtcomm.2026.11570110.15480/882.17573