Precise control of microstructure and mechanical properties of additively manufactured steels using elemental carbon powder

•Usability of non-metal powders in LPBF for Rapid Alloy Development could be proven.•Tailoring of mechanical properties using elemental C-powder is possible in LPBF.•Elemental C-powder can be used to adjust the C-content of austenitic steels in LPBF.•C dissolved in the austenitic steel matrix without the formation of carbides.•Fully dense samples were manufactured with up to 0.9 wt% elemental C-powder.