Anisotropy in mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of 316L stainless steel fabricated by selective laser melting

The corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of 316 L stainless steel(SS) fabricated via selective laser melting(SLM) were clarified by potentiodynamic polarization measurements, immersion tests, and tensile experiments. The microstructural anisotropy of SLMed 316 L SS was also investigated by electron back-scattered diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The grain sizes of the SLMed 316 L SS in the XOZ plane were smaller than those of the SLMed 316 L SS in the XOY plane, and a greater number of low-angle boundaries were present in the XOY plane, resulting in lower elongation for the XOY plane than for the XOZ plane. The SLMed 316 L was expected to exhibit higher strength but lower ductility than the wrought 316 L, which was attributed to the high density of dislocations. The pitting potentials of the SLMed 316 L samples were universally higher than those of the wrought sample in chloride solutions because of the annihilation of MnS or(Ca,Al)-oxides during the rapid solidification. However, the molten pool boundaries preferentially dissolved in aggressive solutions and the damage of the SLMed 316 L in FeCl3 solution was more serious after long-term service, indicating poor durability.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of nickel-based superalloy fabricated by laser powder-bed fusion using recycled powders

Evaluating the recyclability of powders in additive manufacturing has been a long-term challenge.In this study,the microstructure and mechanical properties of a nickel-based superalloy fabricated by laser powder-bed fusion(LPBF)using recycled powders were investigated.Re-melted powder surfaces,satellite particles,and deformed powders were found in the recycled powders,combined with a high-oxygencontent surface layer.The increasing oxygen content led to the formation of high-density oxide inclusions;moreover,printing-induced cracks widely occurred and mainly formed along the grain boundaries in the as-built LPBF nickel-based superalloys fabricated using recycled powders.A little change in the Si or Mn content did not increase the hot cracking susceptibility(HCS)of the printed parts.The changing aspect ratio and the surface damage of the recycled powders might contribute to increasing the crack density.Moreover,the configuration of cracks in the as-built parts led to anisotropic mechanical properties,mainly resulting in extremely low ductility vertical to the building direction,and the cracks mainly propagated along the cellular boundary owing to the existence of a brittle precipitation phase.