Abstract
Laser additive manufacturing enables the one‐step fabrication of complex parts. However, pores and carbide networks, which are not avoidable from the laser powder‐bed fusion (LPBF) process, deteriorate the fatigue strength significantly. Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) with integrated heat treatment is a powerful post‐treatment that densifies the material and modifies the microstructure. Herein, AISI M3:2 samples are produced by LPBF and then are either austenitized, quenched, and tempered in a HIP unit under pressure or are only hardened and tempered in a vacuum oven. The corresponding microstructure is analyzed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy using energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The fatigue strength is determined by rotation bending tests. Fracture surfaces are observed under scanning electron microscopy for failure analysis. While both post‐treatments lead to similar microstructure, the fatigue strength is significantly improved by the HIP process.
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