2-D Microstructure Modeling based on Micrographs of Laser Powder Bed Fusion Melted Specimens

2D microstructural modeling based on the optical micrographs was successfully carried out. Creating a realistic microstructural model containing microstructural features such as fusion boundaries and phases makes it possible to analyze the relationship between the microstructure and property. We implemented this method to the 316 stainless steel (SS) laser powder bed fusion melted specimens. The optical micrographs were meshed and imported into finite element (FE) software. According to the results, the orientation of the fusion boundaries significantly influenced the mechanical properties of the printed parts. Stress localization was significant when the fusion boundaries were parallel to the loading direction. The situation differed when the fusion boundaries were perpendicular to the loading direction. In this case, the large amount and size of fusion boundaries showed significant ductility with homogenously distributed straining.