Laser Welding of AISI 316L Stainless Steel Produced by Additive Manufacturing or by Conventional Processes

Abstract

Among all the additive manufacturing techniques, Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LBPF), also called Selective Laser Melting (SLM), is the most common technique due to its high capability of building complex parts with generally improved mechanical properties. One of the main drawbacks of this technique is the sample size limitation, which depends on elaborating chamber dimensions. In this study, we investigate the viability of obtaining large parts with the laser welding of additive manufactured plates. A comparison of the microstructure and the tensile mechanical properties of SLM-welded plates and cold-rolled welded plates was performed. This paper shows the possibility of obtaining defect-free parts. Even if welding has a low impact on the microstructure of the SLM samples, fractures are located on the fusion zone, and a decrease in ductility of around 30% compared to the base metal is observed.

Corrosion, Heat Treatment, and Microstructural Studies of GTA Welded 316 Austenitic Stainless-Steel Joint

“…The high percentage of Cr and Ni in Type 316L austenitic stainless steel distinguishes it from other steels. The Ni content helps to stabilise the austenite phase at low temperatures and increases corrosion resistance (Mokhtari et al, 2021). Despite their excellent resistance to general ASSs are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC).…”

Effect of SiC Addition on Microhardness and Relative Density during Selective Laser Melting of 316L Stainless Steel

“…As a consequence, the process can produce special characteristics regarding aspects such as microstructures, chemical composition, phase, and mechanical properties [26]. Nevertheless, one of the recognized disadvantages of this process is the limitation of the sample size, which is related to the issue of elaborating the dimensions of chamber [27,28]. According to the literature, in aerospace, marine, and biomedical applications, the widely used alloy is the austenitic stainless steel, mainly due to two of its outstanding properties-corrosion resistance and ductility [29].…”

Corrosion Resistance of Laser Welded Sheets of Stainless Steel 316l

“…In turn, it is also well known that in the case of laser welding under non-equilibrium rapid solidification conditions, the high cooling and solidification rate result in incomplete δ-γ transformation, thus some amount of metastable δ-Fe is remaining in the weld, regardless of the chemical composition. Therefore, the thermal conditions, mainly heat input of the welding process, affect the ratio of ferrite to austenite in the fusion zone (weld metal), grains size, thus quality and properties of the joints, including corrosion resistance of the weld and heat affected zone [3,4]. According to the variation of chemical composition the AISI 316L stainless steel may contain also up to 6% of metastable  ferrite.…”