The effect of heat treatment on the interface of 15-5 PH martensitic stainless steel and SAF 2507 duplex steel in functionally graded AM components

Multi-material components, also known as functionally graded materials (FGMs), are innovative materials that possess unique properties due to their composition and have many potential applications in engineering and science. The effect of the heat treatment (HT) of functionally graded materials 15-5 precipitation-hardened (PH) martensitic steel and SAF 2507 duplex stainless steel (and the opposite order of deposition, i.e. SAF 2507 first followed by 15-5 PH stainless steel) on the interface microstructures was systematically investigated in the presented research. The choice of HT followed the trend of optimum post-processing for the individual alloys. A significant modification in the interface microstructure, characterized in the microstructural transition zone (MTZ) formed above the fusion line. Mechanical properties by miniaturized testing method including hardness measurement characterized both types of interfaces. The sequence of the materials' application did not have a significant effect on their final mechanical tensile properties in the heat-treated states. Nevertheless, the microstructural change at the MTZ led to drop in the hardness at the interface. The research presents heat-treated FGMs in a horizontal configuration to form a high-quality metallurgical joint between heterogeneous materials manufactured by powder-based directed energy deposition method.{GRAPHIACAL ABSTRACT}