Direct Laser Deposition of Austenitic and Martensitic Steel Gradient Layers

Gradient materials are of great practical interest for machinery and aviation. Various parts made of these materials can be used at crucially different temperatures, mechanical and chemical conditions. However, obtaining bimetallic materials is sophisticated by various physical and chemical factors. Additive manufacturing allows the creation of complex geometry and produces the parts of different chemical composition. In this article, we demonstrate the fabrication strategy for novel types of "steel-steel" metamaterials of various microhardness and magnetic properties. Direct Energy Deposition of martensite and austenite steels were combined in "metamaterial" components with discrete and continuous layers. An increase in the composition of martensite provides an increase in saturation, which is important for the creation of new generation electric motors. A promising area of use for such parts with gradient transition are reluctance rotors of synchronous motors, in motor assemblies where different properties are required depending on the load and environment.