Effects of mechanical properties on precipitation hardening stainless steel by selective laser melting, hot isostatic pressing, solid-solution and aging treatments

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe selective laser melting (SLM) process has gained considerable attention from industry and academia over the recent years. Furthermore, the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) technique has been widely applied as a post-treatment to increase the relative density of the fabricated parts. The main aim of this study is to investigate the effects of porosity elimination and mechanical properties on precipitation hardening stainless steel using SLM, HIP, solid-solution and aging treatments. This study also applied various laser scanning pitches (170, 210 and 250 μm), so that a significant phase transformation occurred between the SLM, HIP, solid-solution and aging treatments. The results showed that the laser scanning pitch was 170 μm, and after HIP, solid-solution and aging treatments the materials possessed optimal mechanical properties. The highest hardness (48.8 ± 0.5 HRC) and TRS (2247.0 ± 157.8 MPa) could be acquired.