Influence of Process Parameters Variation on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of SLM-Printed 316L Stainless Steel

This study presents the characterization of 316L stainless steels fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM), focusing on the influence of printing parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties. The choice of process parameters is crucial for achieving desired material properties, as it directly affects the microstructure and mechanical behavior, which is important when optimizing for potential applications in several fields, such as aerospace and automotive. In this study, different scanning speeds were tested to identify optimal settings, followed by the evaluation of the effects of orientation relative to the build plate and hatching strategies to enhance performance. To assess the impact of these factors, tensile tests, microhardness measurements, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were conducted. Tensile tests revealed that higher laser scanning speed generally reduces ultimate tensile strength and elongation, likely due to an increase in porosity and a less homogeneous fusion of layers. The analysis of samples printed with different orientation relative to the build plate highlighted a strong mechanical anisotropy, with the samples printed vertically exhibiting lower tensile strength and ductility compared to horizontally printed samples. Microhardness testing further confirmed an anisotropy in material properties. XRD analysis reveals a preferential orientation of austenitic grains depending on building direction. This, in turn, influences the anisotropic behavior. These findings highlight the critical role of process parameters in tailoring the microstructure and mechanical performance of SLM-produced parts, thereby providing insights into the optimization of additive manufacturing for specific applications.