Development of microstructure features and mechanical properties of AISI 317L stainless steel produced by wire arc additive manufacturing

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) process has been considered the most promising technology for fabricating metallic structures at high deposition rate, cost-effective, and near net shape. This research influence the wire feed speed (WFS) effect on the 317L fabricated using cold metal transfer WAAM process, the microstructure characteristics and mechanical behavior of deposited parts were investigated. Microstructure studies indicate columnar grains structure with small amount of equiaxed grains in various regions and epitaxial growth of dendrites were formed. Electron back scattered diffraction results indicate the well-aligned austenite (γ) columnar crystals with strong crystallographic orientation (001) texture in the deposition direction. X-ray diffraction analysis displays the formation (111), (200) and (220) of austenite phase and (110) of ferrite phase formed in various samples. Micro-hardness results indicate the hardness value was not uniform from bottom to top region of deposit wall, the average micro-hardness values ranging from 200 to 215 HV. Tensile test results reveal the horizontal direction samples secure the higher ultimate tensile strength, yield strength val