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Effects of process parameters on the high temperature strength of 17-4PH stainless steel produced by selective laser melting

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Abstract

In this study, the effects of process parameters on the high temperature strength of 17-4PH stainless steel manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) were investigated. Nine rectangular block specimens were fabricated with various process parameters. Small punch (SP) tests were conducted at 425 °C four times for each rectangular block specimens. The average maximum SP loads were measured from the tests. The fracture surfaces of SP-tested specimens were also examined. Un-melted powder was observed on the fracture surface of the specimen with the lowest average maximum SP load value, which could give rise to local cracking. Analysis of the microstructures showed that the retained austenite and amount of pore defects were the main factors that could affect SP test results. Regression surface methodology (RSM) models was applied to predict the maximum strength as a function of laser scan speed and energy density. Results showed that the energy density level of 64.29 J/mm3 and a scan speed higher than 1884 mm/s are recommended for fabricating SLM parts in the shortest time without losing material strength and with minimum metallurgical defects.

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Abbreviations

P SP :

Maximum small punch load

V :

Scan speed

E :

Energy density

a :

Small punch specimen thickness

p :

Laser power

d :

Hatching distance

e :

Layer thickness

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Chung-Ang University Research Grants in 2020. Authors are appreciate technical support from the KMTL (Kobe Material Testing Laboratory Co).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul, 06974, Korea

    Ho Jun Lee, Van Hung Dao, Jong Min Yu & Kee Bong Yoon

  2. R&D Institute, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Changwon, Korea

    Young Wha Ma

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  1. Ho Jun Lee
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Correspondence to Jong Min Yu.

Additional information

Recommended by Editor Chongdu Cho

Ho Jun Lee received his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Chung-Ang University. He is currently a project researcher at KEIT (Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology). His research interests are hydrogen embrittlement and associated meatallurgical damage. He is also interested in high temperature strength and other mechanical properties of additive manufactured materials.

Van Hung Dao received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Chung-Ang University. He is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Chung-Ang University. His research interests are microstructural analysis and application of high temperature fracture mechanics to life assessment of structural material. He is extending research to behavior of additive manufactured materials.

Young Wha Ma received his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Chung-Ang University, Korea in 2007. After that, he worked at Georgia Institute of Technology, U.S.A. as a postdoc. Dr. Ma is currently Senior Engineer at Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co. His research interests are application of high temperature fracture mechanics to residual life assessment of structural materials including anisotropic materials such as gas turbine blade.

Jong Min Yu received his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Chung-Ang University. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Chung-Ang University. His research interest is life and integrity assessment of facilities in power and process plants. He is currently involved in the study on mechanical properties of additive manufactured components with various process parameters.

Kee Bong Yoon received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Seoul National University, M.S. from KAIST and Ph.D. from Georgia Institute of Technology. He is currently a Professor at Chung-Ang University. His research interests are high temperature fracture and risk based management of energy plants and semiconductor plants. He has particular interest in failures of the facilities in semiconductor companies. He is extending his research to fracture of additive manufactured materials.

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Lee, H.J., Dao, V.H., Ma, Y.W. et al. Effects of process parameters on the high temperature strength of 17-4PH stainless steel produced by selective laser melting. J Mech Sci Technol 34, 3261–3272 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-0718-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-0718-y

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