Variability in elastic and corrosion properties with laser scan speed in selective-laser-melted 316L SS

The large parameter space of selective laser melting (SLM) presents a challenge for property predictors. In this work, the complete set of elastic moduli and the corrosion behavior were determined and correlated for SLM-316L stainless steel. Standard volumetric energy density ranged from 56 to 83 J/mm 3 , with 100 W laser power, 50 m laser spot size, 60 m hatch space, 25 m powder layer thickness, and laser scanning speed varied between 800 and 1200 mm/s. Location-dependent elastic properties were determined with resonant ultrasound spectroscopy on mm-sized rectangular parallelepipeds. Pulse-echo provided a volume-integrated longitudinal modulus. Cyclic potentiodynamic polarization measurements were used to determine the corrosion potential, pitting potential, repassivation current, and corrosion current density. Electron Backscatter Diffraction fund that high-angle grain boundary density dominates at 1200 mm/s, with a high value of 0.46 / , more than four-fold larger than the low-angle grain boundary density. The 1200 mm/s (mass density =0.985 ) has lower corrosion resistance, with highest I =45 nA/cm 2 and lowest E =0.45 V, but elastically is closest to volumetrically isotropic, with compressional moduli of 223.69 8.53 GPa and shear moduli of 72.49 0.36 GPa. At 800 mm/s (mass density = ) the material has the highest crystallographic texture, but a delayed onset to pitting and the greatest resistance to corrosion. Elastically it is not isotropic and degeneracy among directions relative to the build-direction is found. The range of properties observed, understood through grain boundary density and misorientation distribution analysis, reinforces SLM’s capabilities: tuning of SLM fabrication parameters enables materials tailoring for optimal performance in specific applications. • Volumetric elastic isotropy in 316L is possible by selective laser melting at 100 W and 1200 mm/s. • Change in the scan speed of 100 W SLM-316L can tune its corrosion resistance and elastic anisotropy. • Elastic, corrosion, and microstructure properties correlate quantitatively in 100 W SLM-316L. • Resonant ultrasound can map elastic properties of additively manufactured alloys in detail.