The impact of additive manufacturing on the mechanical properties of a stainless precipitation hardening steel

A stainless precipitation hardening steel has been qualified for powder bed fusion of metals using a laser beam. The mechanical and microstructural properties of additively manufactured samples have been thoroughly investigated and compared to samples of the very same material made by means of ingot casting. Additive manufacturing is feasible and can deliver superior mechanical properties. Additionally, the surface quality will be improved by means of wet abrasive jet machining and its impact on the residual stresses has been shown.