Hydrogen interaction with 316L steel obtained by selective laser melting

The investigation is focused on the impact of hydrogen on the physical and mechanical properties of 316L austenitic stainless steel (67.5Fe, 17.7Cr, 10.6Ni, 2.6Mo, 1.2Mn, 0.4Si in wt %) processed by selective laser melting (SLM). The study also determined the kinetic parameters of hydrogen interaction with 316L-SLM steel at temperatures ranging from 300 to 700°C. It has been demonstrated that the plasticity characteristics are highly sensitive to the impact of hydrogen within the temperature range from 20 to 600°C. At 600°C, the maximum degree of hydrogen embrittlement is ≈30%. However, the elongation to failure and reduction of area remain at a sufficiently high level. Reduction in strength characteristics is only observed at 600°C and does not exceed 10%. Prolonged thermal impact and resulting structural changes do not affect the kinetic parameters of hydrogen interaction with 316L-SLM. The hydrogen solubility in SLM-processed 316L steel and 12Cr18Ni10T steel produced by conventional technology is nearly identical.