Mechanical properties and microstructure of wire laser metal deposited austenitic stainless steel

Laser metal deposition (LMD) is a metal 3D printing method that enables the efficient and cost-effective production of large-scale components, rendering it increasingly attractive for civil engineering applications. However, the scarcity of data and lack of knowledge of the material response and geo...

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Main Authors: P. Kyvelou, W. Hong, R. Zhang, L. Gardner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-02-01
Series:Materials & Design
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026412752400933X
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author P. Kyvelou
W. Hong
R. Zhang
L. Gardner
author_facet P. Kyvelou
W. Hong
R. Zhang
L. Gardner
author_sort P. Kyvelou
collection DOAJ
description Laser metal deposition (LMD) is a metal 3D printing method that enables the efficient and cost-effective production of large-scale components, rendering it increasingly attractive for civil engineering applications. However, the scarcity of data and lack of knowledge of the material response and geometric variability of LMD steels is inhibiting adoption of this manufacturing method in the construction industry. To address this, a comprehensive experimental investigation into the geometry, mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics of LMD plates made from ER 308LSi stainless steel has been carried out and is presented herein. Laser scanning, tensile testing and microstructural analyses were conducted on a series of coupons of different thicknesses (2 mm and 8 mm), printing strategies, surface conditions and orientations. The results indicated low geometric irregularity, with both as-built and machined coupons displaying nearly identical mechanical properties. The thinner specimens had lower strengths, mainly attributed to their larger grain sizes. Significant anisotropy was observed from the mechanical tests on the thinner specimens, explained by a strong crystallographic texture observed in the microstructure. Overall, the examined material exhibited good mechanical behaviour and geometric consistency. Finally, a constitutive modelling approach previously applied to wire arc additively manufactured (WAAM) stainless steel was successfully adapted to characterise the anisotropic behaviour of LMD stainless steel in both the elastic and inelastic material ranges. The findings highlight the potential for using LMD in construction, offering a viable means of fabricating large-scale metal components with sound mechanical performance.
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spelling doaj-art-c8c1861b656f4ddfa237297539d61dd12025-01-12T05:24:13ZengElsevierMaterials & Design0264-12752025-02-01250113558Mechanical properties and microstructure of wire laser metal deposited austenitic stainless steelP. Kyvelou0W. Hong1R. Zhang2L. Gardner3Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, UKDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, UKDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, UK; Corresponding author.Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, UKLaser metal deposition (LMD) is a metal 3D printing method that enables the efficient and cost-effective production of large-scale components, rendering it increasingly attractive for civil engineering applications. However, the scarcity of data and lack of knowledge of the material response and geometric variability of LMD steels is inhibiting adoption of this manufacturing method in the construction industry. To address this, a comprehensive experimental investigation into the geometry, mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics of LMD plates made from ER 308LSi stainless steel has been carried out and is presented herein. Laser scanning, tensile testing and microstructural analyses were conducted on a series of coupons of different thicknesses (2 mm and 8 mm), printing strategies, surface conditions and orientations. The results indicated low geometric irregularity, with both as-built and machined coupons displaying nearly identical mechanical properties. The thinner specimens had lower strengths, mainly attributed to their larger grain sizes. Significant anisotropy was observed from the mechanical tests on the thinner specimens, explained by a strong crystallographic texture observed in the microstructure. Overall, the examined material exhibited good mechanical behaviour and geometric consistency. Finally, a constitutive modelling approach previously applied to wire arc additively manufactured (WAAM) stainless steel was successfully adapted to characterise the anisotropic behaviour of LMD stainless steel in both the elastic and inelastic material ranges. The findings highlight the potential for using LMD in construction, offering a viable means of fabricating large-scale metal components with sound mechanical performance.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026412752400933XMaterial anisotropyMechanical propertiesMetal 3D printingMicrostructural analysisStainless steelWire laser metal deposition
spellingShingle P. Kyvelou
W. Hong
R. Zhang
L. Gardner
Mechanical properties and microstructure of wire laser metal deposited austenitic stainless steel
Materials & Design
Material anisotropy
Mechanical properties
Metal 3D printing
Microstructural analysis
Stainless steel
Wire laser metal deposition
title Mechanical properties and microstructure of wire laser metal deposited austenitic stainless steel
title_full Mechanical properties and microstructure of wire laser metal deposited austenitic stainless steel
title_fullStr Mechanical properties and microstructure of wire laser metal deposited austenitic stainless steel
title_full_unstemmed Mechanical properties and microstructure of wire laser metal deposited austenitic stainless steel
title_short Mechanical properties and microstructure of wire laser metal deposited austenitic stainless steel
title_sort mechanical properties and microstructure of wire laser metal deposited austenitic stainless steel
topic Material anisotropy
Mechanical properties
Metal 3D printing
Microstructural analysis
Stainless steel
Wire laser metal deposition
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026412752400933X
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AT whong mechanicalpropertiesandmicrostructureofwirelasermetaldepositedausteniticstainlesssteel
AT rzhang mechanicalpropertiesandmicrostructureofwirelasermetaldepositedausteniticstainlesssteel
AT lgardner mechanicalpropertiesandmicrostructureofwirelasermetaldepositedausteniticstainlesssteel