Mechanical Optimization of University-Printed 316L Stainless Steel for Rotating Detonation Engine Applications

Mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel (SS316L), additively manufactured (AM) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio), were characterized through print parameter design space sweeps and a suite of materials characterization analyses. Analyses involved optimizing metal print process parameters based on density and surface porosity measurements of printed cubic specimens, which were also analyzed to assess surface defects, microstructure, and grain boundaries. Flat tensile coupons were also printed and tested to analyze how printing parameters and build plate location affected performance metrics associated with mechanical tensile testing, a foundational testing framework for solid materials in engineering. For performance metrics related specifically to propulsion applications, channel sections were printed to analyze material porosity, flow rate, and pressure drop arising from practical flow conditions associated with regenerative cooling architectures in combustion devices. This work highlights the student-led laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) development efforts at UT San Antonio for SS316L, and provides a data-driven backbone for future in-house AM hardware development efforts, not just for UT San Antonio, but for any institution of higher education wishing to increase student involvement and workforce preparation for the advanced manufacturing industry as it relates to mechanical, aerospace, and industrial engineering.