Anisotropy in mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of 316L stainless steel fabricated by selective laser melting

The corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel (SS) fabricated via selective laser melting (SLM) were clarified by potentiodynamic polarization measurements, immersion tests, and tensile experiments. The microstructural anisotropy of SLMed 316L SS was also investigated by electron back-scattered diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The grain sizes of the SLMed 316L SS in the XOZ plane were smaller than those of the SLMed 316L SS in the XOY plane, and a greater number of low-angle boundaries were present in the XOY plane, resulting in lower elongation for the XOY plane than for the XOZ plane. The SLMed 316L was expected to exhibit higher strength but lower ductility than the wrought 316L, which was attributed to the high density of dislocations. The pitting potentials of the SLMed 316L samples were universally higher than those of the wrought sample in chloride solutions because of the annihilation of MnS or (Ca,Al)-oxides during the rapid solidification. However, the molten pool boundaries preferentially dissolved in aggressive solutions and the damage of the SLMed 316L in FeCl₃ solution was more serious after long-term service, indicating poor durability.