The effect of build orientation on tensile properties and corrosion resistance of 316L stainless steel fabricated by laser powder bed fusion

The effects of build orientation on tensile property and corrosion behavior of laser powder bed fusion 316L stainless steel were investigated. The laser powder bed fusion 316L stainless steel in normal direction exhibited lower tensile strength and elongation than one in build direction. In view of the fact that there was no obvious martensitic transformation in the two samples, high density dislocation and more low-angle grain boundaries in laser powder bed fusion 316L stainless steel in build direction both enhanced tensile yield and tensile strength. More deformed twins in the sample in build direction induced better plasticity. In addition, laser powder bed fusion 316L stainless steel in build direction exhibited better corrosion resistance than one in normal direction in borate buffer and sodium chloride solutions. This was attributed to the larger grain and more densely packed crystallographic faces in build direction for laser powder bed fusion 316L stainless steel.