Investigation of the Structural and Tribological Properties of 316L Stainless Steel Manufactured Using Variable Production Parameters by Selective Laser Melting

The structural, tribological and mechanical properties of the engineering parts manufactured by the selective laser melting (SLM) method are highly affected by the strategies and parameters used in manufacturing. Therefore, it is extremely important to know/control the effect of the parameters to be used in manufacturing on the mechanical and tribological properties of the material and to determine the optimum production conditions. In this study, the effects of these fabrication parameters of SLM process on the structural, mechanical properties and wear performance of 316L stainless steel were investigated. Because many production parameters are involved in the SLM method, it was tried to save material and time by systematically reducing the manufacturing parameters. In experimental studies, the parameters of scanning speed, laser beam power and hatch spacing, which directly affect the laser energy density, were investigated. As a result, it was determined that the manufacturing parameters/strategies used in the SLM method have a significant effect on the mechanical properties and wear performance of 316L stainless steel. The lowest wear rate was obtained for the sample produced with 70% hatch spacing and 0 degrees build orientation. This sample also represented the parameter in which the highest microhardness and density ratio was obtained.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effects of manufacturing parameters in the selective laser melting (SLM) process on the structural, mechanical properties, and wear performance of 316L stainless steel. The experimental results show that the manufacturing parameters have a significant impact on the material's properties, and reducing the parameters can save material and time.