Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Stainless Steel AISI 316L Processed by Selective Laser Melting

Abstract:

In this study, samples of stainless steel AISI 316L have been processed by selective laser melting, a layer-by-layer near-net-shape process allowing for an economic production of complex parts. The resulting microstructures have been characterised in details in order to reach a better understanding of the solidification and consolidation processes. The influence of the processing parameters on the mechanical properties was investigated by means of uniaxial tensile testing performed on samples produced with different main orientations with respect to the building direction. A strong anisotropy of the mechanical behaviour was thus interpreted in relation with the microstructures and the processing conditions.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volumes 783-786)
• Pages: 898-903
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.783-786.898
• Online since: May 2014
• Authors: Anne Mertens*, Sylvie Reginster, Quentin Contrepois, Thierry Dormal, Olivier Lemaire, Jacqueline Lecomte-Beckers
• Keywords: Mechanical Property, Microstructure, Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Stainless Steel AISI 316L

References

[1] J.P. Kruth, G. Levy, F. Klocke, T.H.C. Childs, Consolidation phenomena in laser and powder-bed based layered manufacturing, Annals of the CIRP 56 (2007) 730-759.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cirp.2007.10.004

[2] M. Shiomi, K. Osakada, N. Nakamura, T. Yamashita, F. Abe, Residual stresses within metallic model made by selective laser melting process, Annals of the CIRP 53 (2004) 195-198.

DOI: 10.1016/s0007-8506(07)60677-5

[3] L. Thijs, F. Verhaeghe, T. Craeghs, J. Van Humbeeck, J.P. Kruth, A study of the microstructural evolution during selective laser melting of Ti-6Al-4V, Acta Mater. 58 (2010) 3303-3312.

DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2010.02.004

[4] T. Vilaro, C. Colin, J.D. Bartout, As-fabricated and heat-treated microstructures of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy processed by selective laser melting, Metall. Mater. Trans. A 42 (2011) 3190-3199.

DOI: 10.1007/s11661-011-0731-y

[5] A. Mertens, Q. Contrepois, T. Dormal, O. Lemaire, J. Lecomte-Beckers, Ti alloys processed by selective laser melting and by laser cladding: microstructures and mechanical properties, in: Proc. 12th European Conference on Space Structures, Materials and Environmental Testing, Noordwijk, The Netherlands (ESA SP-691, July 2012).

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.783-786.898

[6] I. Yadroitsev, P. Krakhmalev, I. Yadroitsava, S. Johansson, I. Smurov, Energy input effect on morphology and microstructure of selective laser melting single track from metallic powder, J. Mater. Process. Technol. 213 (2013) 606-613.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2012.11.014

[7] X. Su, Y. Yang, Research on track overlapping during selective laser melting of powders, J. Mater. Process. Technol. 212 (2012) 2074-(2079).

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2012.05.012

[8] I. Tolosa, F. Garciandia, F. Zubiri, F. Zapirain, A. Esnaola, Study of mechanical properties of AISI 316 stainless steel processed by « selective laser melting », following different manufacturing strategies, Int. J. Adv. Manuf. Technol. 51 (2010).

DOI: 10.1007/s00170-010-2631-5

[9] R.H. Morgan, A.J. Papworth, C. Sutcliffe, P. Fox, W. O'Neill, High density net shape components by direct laser remelting of single-phase powders, J. Mater. Sci. 37 (2002) 3093-3100.

[10] E. Yasa, J.P. Kruth, Microstructural investigation of selective laser melting 316L stainless steel parts exposed to laser re-melting, Procedia Eng. 19 (2011) 389-395.

DOI: 10.1016/j.proeng.2011.11.130

[11] J.P. Kruth, L. Froyen, J. Van Vaerenbergh, P. Mercelis, M. Rombouts, B. Lauwers, Selective laser melting of iron-based powder, J. Mater. Process. Technol. 149 (2004) 616-622.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2003.11.051

[12] J.W. Elmer, S.M. Allen, T.W. Eagar, Microstructural development during solidification of stainless steel alloys, Metall. Trans. A 20 (1989) 2117-2131.

DOI: 10.1007/bf02650298