Characterization of an austenitic stainless steel preform deposited by wire arc additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a fabrication process based on the addition of material by layers and has shown several advantages against other processes, such as low cost possibility parts with complex geometries. However, additive can change properties workpiece due to strategy multilayer deposition, which cause changes in microstructure deposited material. In this sense, work aimed evaluate chemical composition, microstructure, mechanical electrochemical behavior 316L stainless steel manufactured wire arc (WAAM), comparing it sample same alloy annealed condition, trying understand how different interfere final The results indicate that presence ferrite an austenitic matrix. Two regions whose had morphologies were also identified WAAM alloy. region close fusion line between layers, austenite grains are smaller, about 5 μm wide, 10 area most center layers. This microstructural caused irregular microhardness profile, average 276 HV, higher than 190 HV conventional It was observed decrease yield strength (YS) (23%) elongation (78%) slight increase value ultimate tensile (UTS) (9%); however, still meets minimum requirements for industrial applications required studied (min. UTS 485 MPa, min. YS 170 35 MPa). Moreover, simulated seawater solution corrosion potential like specimen (about 0.24 V), passivating first be superior second, respectively, 0.640 V 0.560 V.