Surface modification of high-Mn steel via laser-DED: Microstructural characterization and hot crack susceptibility of clad layer

High-Mn steels have been intensively developed in steel industries due to their excellent mechanical properties and low density. However, the weak surface properties of these steels significantly limited the production and application scope. Various surface modification solutions were proposed, but they were not suitable for mass production or degraded the physical properties of base materials. Here, a new solution is proposed for mass-producing an ultra-thin multilayer clad steel sheet using an additive manufacturing process without changing the superior mechanical property of the high-Mn steel. Functionally graded multilayers from high-Mn steel to high-strength low-alloy steel have been deposited onto a high-Mn steel slab by a powder-fed type additive manufacturing process to improve its surface properties. During the deposition at high laser intensities, solidification cracks appeared in the first and second layers. The hot crack susceptibility of the functionally graded multilayers was elucidated by employing thermodynamic solidification calculation and thermo-mechanical analysis. (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

High-Mn steels have excellent mechanical properties and low density, making them widely used in the steel industry. However, their weak surface properties limit their production and application scope. This article proposes a new solution to mass-produce ultra-thin multilayer clad steel sheets using an additive manufacturing process while preserving the superior mechanical properties of high-Mn steel.