Crystal‐Symmetry‐Driven Build Orientation and its Impact on the {110}<100> Goss Texture Formation and Mechanical Properties of Laser Powder Bed Fused AISI 316L

Directional solidification in laser powder bed fusion enables precise control over the crystallographic texture. The symmetry of the processed materials crystal system facilitates the fabrication of parts with identical texture but distinct melt pool morphologies along different build orientations. This study systematically investigates and compares the {110}<100> Goss texture formation of AISI 316L along three different build orientations using bi‐directional scanning: i) H 110 perpendicular to the scan direction; ii) T 110 with the tensile direction rotated 60° relative to the build direction and 35.26° to the scan direction; iii) V 110 parallel to the build direction. The bulk and surface characteristics are examined using neutron diffraction, microscopy, and tensile testing. T 110 reveals a crystallographic lamellar microstructure with major {110} and minor {111} grains, the strongest texture along the tensile direction and the finest solidification structure. This leads to superior strength compared to H 110 and V 110 while preserving the ductility. Dislocation densities and induced micro‐strains appear to have only a minor impact on the observed strength differences. The results show that the properties of AISI 316L with predominant {110}<100> Goss texture can be optimized by altering the build orientation.