Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed Tool Steel after Various Precipitation Hardening Treatments

Precipitation hardening is one of the most frequently used methods post-processing heat treatments 3D printed tool steel 1.2709, as it increases yield and ultimate tensile strengths steel. Within this work, broad temperature range 250°C – 550°C was tested with five differ-ent holds at each to study effect processing parameters on microstructure mechanical properties. Maraging 1.2709 produced by selective laser melting (SLM) technology obtained results were compared conventionally same chemical composition. Mechanical properties established hardness measurement test characterised mainly light scanning electron microscopy. The peak for both steels reached after 6 hours precipitation 500 °C, however, apparent effects treatment observed already low-temperature treatments.