Influences of Processing Parameters on Microstructure and Properties of Laser Direct Deposited Stainless Steel Components

The influences of the processing parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the stainless steel thin wall parts by laser direct deposition were investigated. The results show that the obtained microstructure of the stainless steel thin walls is all composed of directionally solidified dendrites under different processing parameters, but the microstructure morphology and property values are affected by the varied parameters. Typically, the scanning speed shows the significant effects on microstructure, while the laser power exhibits the relatively weak impacts upon them. During the laser direct deposition, the processing parameters govern the shape control factor, thereby remarkably influencing the solidification microstructure shapes, characteristic scales, and mechanical properties of the as-fabricated components.