Investigation of In-situ low copper alloying of 316L using the powder bed fusion process

Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/solids4030010

This study investigated the allowability of materials in the laser powder melting process, with a focus on powder mixing as a means of adjusting the material composition quickly and cost-effectively. By mixing different powders, a desired alloy can be created during additive processing without the need to produce new powder, which can be expensive. However, one of the main challenges in this process is the segregation of powders, which can lead to non-homogeneous alloys. To address this challenge, the study examined the use of a single component 316L mixed with 1% and 5% copper powder in the additive processing. The results showed that homogeneous components with a uniform and targeted copper content could be produced. However, the mechanical-technological properties of both alloys were lower than those of 316L in situ. To optimize and extend this study, further investigation could be conducted to improve the homogeneity of the powder mixture and to enhance the mechanical-technological properties of the alloys produced. This could involve exploring different alloy designs, optimizing the laser powder melting process parameters, and using advanced characterization techniques to gain a deeper understanding of the microstructure and properties of the alloys. By addressing these challenges, the laser powder melting process could become an even more promising method for producing customized alloys with tailored properties.