Functionally Graded AISI 316L and AISI H13 Manufactured by L-DED for Die and Mould Applications

Tooling in the die and mould industry is subjected to high-wear high-temperature environments, which often leads premature failure of this high-added-value tooling. When severe damage occurs, an alternative replacing whole component consists repair by laser-directed energy deposition (L-DED). For that end, intermediate layers are commonly employed as buffer material, where introducing a functionally graded material (FGM) might be beneficial avoid incompatibilities improve overall performance In present work, FGM composed gradient AISI 316L H13 has been manufactured, its microstructure hardness analysed. Firstly, cracking owing formation brittle phases detected. Secondly, increase decrease corrosion resistance observed when transitioning from H13. Thirdly, despite composition evolving linearly, nonlinear properties such have observed, conditioned formed during L‑DED process influence steel on properties. Consequently, compositional gradients recommended if linear mechanical obtained case FGMs.