Additive Manufacturing of a Corrosion Resistant Tool Steel with an Outlook to Further Application

Abstract This paper presents the development of a modified tool steel (X30CrMnMoN13-3-1) specifically designed for defect-free processing via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) without requiring complex machine modifications. The research addresses the dual challenge of carbon-containing tool steels in additive manufacturing: maintaining wear resistance while preventing cracking. Through optimization of the alloying system—particularly with carbon, nitrogen, chromium, molybdenum, and manganese—and the use of moderate preheating (150 °C), the authors achieved crack-free components with hardness levels up to 57 HRC after appropriate heat treatment.