Effect of SLM process parameters on hardness and microstructure of stainless steel 316 material

Abstract

Selective laser melting (SLM) is an additive manufacturing process in which layers of metallic powder are selectively melted and fused by a high-powered laser to form near-fully dense 3D components. The SS316L is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel containing a deliberate amount of molybdenum which increases general corrosion resistance and especially improves its pitting resistance to chloride ion solutions. The importance of process parameter such as layer thickness and orientation of specimen on the hardness and microstructure are being explored. Hence, it is essential to carry out research in that direction. The aim of the study is to understand the effect of layer thickness and angle orientation on hardness of the material as it is one of the desirable properties for SS316 material. The excellent hardness (218.835 BHN) was attained at the angle orientation of 90° and layer thickness of 40 µm according to ANOVA analysis.