Microstructural Evolution and Properties of 24CrNiMoY Alloy Steel Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting

24CrNiMoY alloy steel samples were fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM), and a phase transformation model was established to study the alloy steel microstructural evolution. Meanwhile, microhardness and tensile properties of 24CrNiMoY alloy steel prepared by different laser energy densities (Ev) were investigated. Results indicate that the microstructural evolution of 24CrNiMoY alloy steel is consistent with the phase transformation model. The main microstructure changed from martensite to bainite with the increase in thermal cycle numbers. In addition, a suitable Ev plays an important role in refining the bainite structure and improving the alloy steel properties. When the Ev decreases from 210 to 140 J/mm3, the bainite lath width reduces from 1.7 to 0.6 μm. Simultaneously, the relative density, tensile strength and microhardness of the fabricated samples increase first and decrease later. 24CrNiMoY alloy steel sample prepared by 160 J/mm3 has fine mechanical properties: The tensile strength is 850 MPa and microhardness is 360 HV0.2.