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Effect of Energy Density on the Defects, Microstructure, and Mechanical Properties of Selective-Laser-Melted 24CrNiMo Low-Alloy Steel

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Abstract

In this study, 24CrNiMo samples with low porosity and high strength were prepared by selecting laser melting technology (SLM). The defect distribution, microstructure evolution, and tensile fracture surface were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The experimental results showed that with increase in the energy density, the types of defects would change, and the number of defects showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing. The microstructure of the samples mainly consisted of martensite with a small amount of lower bainite and residual austenite. EBSD analysis showed that no crystallographic texture was found in the samples. However, the grain orientation would change original direction to form a texture parallel to the load direction during the tensile process. The average grain size increased from 0.346 to 0.381 μm with the increase in energy density. The best sample was prepared under the parameters of 76.56 J/mm3, with the highest microhardness (458.96 HV0.2), ultimate tensile strength (1378.53 MPa), and strength–plasticity product (18.23 GPa%). The relationship among defects distribution, microstructure, and mechanical properties was established, which provided a corresponding theoretical basis for SLM to prepare low-alloy steel.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support for this research from National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2016YFB1100204), Key Research Project from Science and Shenyang Science and Technology-Funded Project (No. 19-109-1-03).

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  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang, 110870, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China

    F. Z. Wang, C. H. Zhang, X. Cui, F. Q. Zhou & S. Zhang

  2. Shenyang Dalu Laser Technology CO., LTD, Shenyang, 110136, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China

    H. T. Chen & J. Chen

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Wang, F.Z., Zhang, C.H., Cui, X. et al. Effect of Energy Density on the Defects, Microstructure, and Mechanical Properties of Selective-Laser-Melted 24CrNiMo Low-Alloy Steel. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 31, 3520–3534 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-021-06500-x

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