The Effect of Print Parameters on the Mechanical Behavior and Chemical Composition of Additively Manufactured Stainless Steel 316L
Abstract
Additive manufacturing has the potential to reinvent the manufacturing industry by reducing energy usage and waste production. Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), an additive manufacturing process, has been shown to produce high-resolution, fully dense parts with improved mechanical performance compared to traditionally manufactured parts. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the print parameters of the L-PBF process affect the final materials properties, microstructure, and composition of stainless steel-316L (SS-316L) components. After printing, monolith specimens were segmented using wire electrical discharge machining and labeled via laser engraving for sample tracking and spatial correlation relative to the original build orientations. Microhardness testing was used to investigate mechanical behavior in localized areas. Hardness data showed that low-energy parts had lower hardness while high-energy samples had higher hardness values compared to traditionally manufactured SS-316L. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with elemental analysis was utilized to correlate chemical compositions to microhardness. Standard energy shielded samples had higher concentrations of C, Si, O, Mo, and Mn compared to unshielded samples which correlates to higher hardness values seen in shielded samples. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) data showed higher concentrations of O, C, and Si in sample pores, likely due to the polishing media from the sample preparation process. The implications of this study will allow further understanding of the ways that flaws form in AM materials and allow for the development of mitigation strategies and improved build plans.
The Effect of Print Parameters on the Mechanical Behavior and Chemical Composition of Additively Manufactured Stainless Steel 316L
Additive manufacturing has the potential to reinvent the manufacturing industry by reducing energy usage and waste production. Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), an additive manufacturing process, has been shown to produce high-resolution, fully dense parts with improved mechanical performance compared to traditionally manufactured parts. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the print parameters of the L-PBF process affect the final materials properties, microstructure, and composition of stainless steel-316L (SS-316L) components. After printing, monolith specimens were segmented using wire electrical discharge machining and labeled via laser engraving for sample tracking and spatial correlation relative to the original build orientations. Microhardness testing was used to investigate mechanical behavior in localized areas. Hardness data showed that low-energy parts had lower hardness while high-energy samples had higher hardness values compared to traditionally manufactured SS-316L. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with elemental analysis was utilized to correlate chemical compositions to microhardness. Standard energy shielded samples had higher concentrations of C, Si, O, Mo, and Mn compared to unshielded samples which correlates to higher hardness values seen in shielded samples. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) data showed higher concentrations of O, C, and Si in sample pores, likely due to the polishing media from the sample preparation process. The implications of this study will allow further understanding of the ways that flaws form in AM materials and allow for the development of mitigation strategies and improved build plans.