Influence of build orientation on the creep behavior of IN738LC manufactured with laser powder bed fusion

While metal Laser Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB/M) offers many advantages, such as increased design freedom, it is yet to be accepted as a reliable manufacturing route. Due to the highly oriented solidification of the PBF-LB/M process, the microstructural anisotropy significantly affects mechanical short- and long-term properties. Component build orientation directly influences grain morphology and orientation and thus mechanical properties.