The role of texturing and microstructure evolution on the tensile behavior of heat-treated Inconel 625 produced via laser powder bed fusion

Inconel 625 (IN625) alloy has high-temperature strength coupled with high oxidation and corrosion resistance. Additionally, due to its excellent weldability, IN625 can be processed by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing (AM) process allowing the production of complex shapes. However, post-AM heat treatment is necessary to develop the desired microstructure and mechanical properties to meet industrial needs. This work is focused on the influence of different heat treatment processes, namely stress relieving, recrystallization annealing and solution annealing on the microstructure and tensile properties of LPBF IN625 alloy. Investigation of the crystallographic texture by electron backscattered diffraction indicated that heat treatments at 1080 degrees C and 1150 degrees C tend to eliminate anisotropy in the material by the recrystallization and grain growth resulting in the formation of equiaxed grains. Tensile properties of heat-treated LPBF IN625 alloy built along different orientations revealed higher tensile properties than the minimum recommended values of wrought IN625 alloy in the annealed and solution annealed states.