Effects of Build Orientations on Microstructure Evolution, Porosity Formation, and Mechanical Performance of Selective Laser Melted 17-4 PH Stainless Steel

In this study, the effect of phase, microstructure, and porosity in Selective Laser Melting (SLM) on hardness, tensile, and fracture behavior of 17-4 PH was investigated. The increasing interest in SLM in producing complex parts has encouraged the industry to produce performance parts, such as martensitic 17-4 PH stainless steel. However, the microstructure and mechanical behavior of SLM 17-4PH is not fully understood by researchers. Understanding the microstructure profile is complex because it is driven by thermal history and porosity. Both elements vary, based on the build directions, further hindering researchers from fully understanding the mechanical properties. To fabricate specimens in three different building orientations (0 degrees, 45 degrees, and 90 degrees), 17-4 powder was used. Two phases, namely, austenite and martensite, with 90 degrees build direction, retained more austenite, due to the reheating process on a smaller base area. The optical microstructure revealed several elements that were distinct for SLM processing, including circular, columnar lath, wave melt pool, and porosity. Columnar lath was found to grow continuously across different melt pools. Hardness was found to be higher for 0 degrees than for 90 degrees, due to higher martensite content. Tensile strength was highest for 0 degrees, at 958 MPa, higher than at 45 degrees and 90 degrees at 743 and 614 MPa, respectively. Porosity analysis validated that 90 degrees had all three types of porosities and, specifically, the crescent type, which held un-melted powders. All types of porosities were found in fractography analysis.