Additive Manufacturing by Arc Deposition: Study of Mechanical and Chemical Properties with Stainless Electrode ER 310

Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze additive manufacturing by metal deposition, mechanically validating the efficiency of ER 310 stainless steel, in order to understand its metallurgical and structural behavior, in addition to establishing ideal operating parameters for layer-by-layer deposition. Theoretical Framework: Additive manufacturing (AM) is a growing manufacturing technique, known for reducing material waste and improving delivery times, in addition to contributing to sustainability by reducing the carbon impact. The technique involves the superposition of metal layers, integrating knowledge from mechanical engineering, metallurgy, welding and automation. ER 310 stainless steel, used in this study, is widely applied due to its high resistance to oxidation and heat. Method: The metal deposition process was performed using a CNC arm programmed to operate with continuous and controlled movement, forming a wall composed of several successive layers. Material characterization included chemical analysis by optical emission spectrometry and Vickers microhardness testing with 15 indentations. Metallographic analysis was also performed to observe the microstructure and thermal monitoring of the molten pool during deposition. Results and Discussion: The results demonstrated that the chemical composition of the deposited material is within the expected limits for ER 310 wire. The average microhardness was 191 HV, revealing uniformity throughout the layers. The metallographic analysis indicated a predominantly austenitic microstructure, with small dark spots attributed to the possible formation of chromium carbide, due to the high chromium content of the material. Thermal monitoring indicated temperatures in the molten pool around 1900 °C, gradually decreasing with each pass, which influences the thermal stability and the final microstructure. Research Implications: This study provides important subsidies for the development of technical parameters in the additive manufacturing of stainless alloys, especially in applications where thermal control and metallurgical integrity are essential. The implications include sectors such as advanced metallurgy, manufacturing of corrosion-resistant and high-temperature components, and contributes to the optimization of processes with less material waste. Originality/Value: This research contributes to the literature by exploring the deposition of ER 310 stainless steel using additive manufacturing with real-time thermal monitoring, offering unprecedented data on the hardness, microstructure, and thermal stability of the process. The value of the research lies in the possibility of establishing new sustainable and technically viable manufacturing routes for high-performance industrial applications.