Effects of processing parameters on fabrication defects, microstructure and mechanical properties of additive manufactured Mg–Nd–Zn–Zr alloy by selective laser melting process

•Effect of parameters on defects, microstructure and tensile properties was studied.•The microstructure changes from large grains with lamellae to equiaxed grains.•The bimodal-grained microstructure leads to better mechanical properties.•The yield drop phenomenon is observed in SLMed Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy.•The average grain size, not the pores, determines the mechanical properties in SLM.