Weldability of 316L Parts Produced by Metal Additive Manufacturing

The processes of metal additive manufacturing (AM) are no longer confined to rapid prototyping applications and seeing increasing use in many fields for the production tools finished products. ability design parts with practically zero waste, high precision, complex geometry, on-demand fabrication among advantages this approach. One drawbacks technique is productivity rate, as made layer by layer, which also increases cost. Moreover, even working space limited, especially powder bed fusion technique. In view these disadvantages order guarantee profitability process, it should be oriented components that have a limited volume adapted manufacturing. solution circumvent combine 3D printing process conventional processes. When designing products, one may choose create locally assemble them produced On other hand, due AM chamber space, necessary print large multiple smaller then them. investigate weldability stainless steel 316L laser (L-PBF), mechanical behavior different welding assemblies tested. Five configurations studied: non-welded specimens, two welded together, part cut laser-cut specimens. Welding performed using Pulsed Gas Metal Arc (GMAW-P). Specimen strength assessed through static fatigue tests. results demonstrate weldable, tensile properties L-PBF comparable. GMAW-P led lower than configurations, but difference not important. It was observed defects direct impact on properties.