Anisotropy in mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of 316L stainless steel fabricated by selective laser melting

The corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of 316 L stainless steel(SS) fabricated via selective laser melting(SLM) were clarified by potentiodynamic polarization measurements, immersion tests, and tensile experiments. The microstructural anisotropy of SLMed 316 L SS was also investigated by electron back-scattered diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The grain sizes of the SLMed 316 L SS in the XOZ plane were smaller than those of the SLMed 316 L SS in the XOY plane, and a greater number of low-angle boundaries were present in the XOY plane, resulting in lower elongation for the XOY plane than for the XOZ plane. The SLMed 316 L was expected to exhibit higher strength but lower ductility than the wrought 316 L, which was attributed to the high density of dislocations. The pitting potentials of the SLMed 316 L samples were universally higher than those of the wrought sample in chloride solutions because of the annihilation of MnS or(Ca,Al)-oxides during the rapid solidification. However, the molten pool boundaries preferentially dissolved in aggressive solutions and the damage of the SLMed 316 L in FeCl3 solution was more serious after long-term service, indicating poor durability.