Microstructure Distribution in 17-4 PH Martensitic Steel Produced by Selective Laser Melting

In this work, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was applied to investigate the microstructure distribution within the selective-laser-melted 17-4 PH martensitic steel. The volume fraction of the delta-ferrite was found to decrease in the building direction. This effect was attributed to the decrease in the cooling rate, which promoted the delta-ferrite -> austenite -> alpha-martensite transformation sequence.

Automated summary

In this study, EBSD was used to investigate the microstructure distribution within the selective-laser-melted 17-4 PH martensitic steel. The volume fraction of delta-ferrite decreased in the building direction, which was attributed to a decrease in cooling rate and promoted the delta-ferrite -> austenite -> alpha-martensite transformation sequence.