Effect of Build and Scan Direction on Tensile Properties of Selective Laser Melted SS316L Alloy

Process-microstructure-mechanical property linkage was established for selective laser melted SS 316 stainless steel alloy by studying the role of scan direction and build direction on the tensile properties of the alloy with detailed microstructural characterization using electron backscatter diffraction. A wide range of mechanical properties comprising a range of ductility from 78 and 35% with a range of yield and ultimate strength of 275 to 313 MPa and 342 to 428 MPa, respectively, for the alloy, shows the capability of selective laser melting to cover a large property space. Similarly, a wide toughness range of 11,970 to 27,760 MJ/m³ is such that the sample with the scan direction perpendicular to the plane containing the tensile axis shows the highest toughness. The synergy of strengthening and strain hardening mechanisms like Taylor hardening, dislocation strengthening and twin induced plasticity to modulate the properties of SS316L alloy is established. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].