Studying the Microstructural Effect of Selective Laser Melting and Electropolishing on the Performance of Maraging Steel

Selective laser melting is one of the additive manufacturing technologies that have been known for building various and complicated shapes. Despite numerous advantages of additive manufacturing technologies, they strongly influence the microstructure and typically show a relatively high surface roughness. In this study, maraging steel was produced by selective laser melting (SLM), and its microstructure, hardness and corrosion behavior before and after heat treatment were studied and compared to traditionally manufactured ones (wrought, forged samples). In addition, the effect of electropolishing on the surface roughness was evaluated. The microstructural study was carried out by scanning electron microscopy equipped with electron backscattered diffraction in three different sections: parallel to the top surface (xy), transverse cross section (xz) and longitudinal cross section (yz). The same characterization was applied to heat-treated samples, austenitized and quenched as well as the aged ones. The results showed that selective laser melting produced a fine grain martensitic structure (in the as-printed condition) with a surface roughness (R-a) of about 10 mu m. There was no sign of preferred texture or anisotropy in the microstructure of as-print SLM materials. The SLM microstructure was similar in all 3 sections (xy, xz and yz). Despite finer microstructure, nano-hardness and corrosion behavior of SLM and conventional wrought maraging steel in heat-treated conditions were similar. Aging resulted in the maximum nano-hardness and the minimum corrosion potential values. Precipitation has the main role in both hardness and corrosion behavior. Electropolishing was optimized and reduced the surface roughness (R-a) by 65%.

Automated summary

Selective laser melting is a known additive manufacturing technology for producing various shapes, but it tends to affect microstructure and surface roughness. A study on maraging steel produced by SLM found fine grain martensitic structure, and similar hardness and corrosion behavior to traditionally manufactured steel in heat-treated conditions. Electropolishing was able to reduce surface roughness effectively.