<p>Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), also known as layer-by-layer manufacturing has gained attention due to its ability to produce very nearly components without the need for complex tooling, which results in a significant reduction in cost and lead time. In this work, we investigate the fabrication of SiC-dispersed E71T1 mild steel using WAAM and examine its effects on the material’s mechanical properties and microstructure. The introduction of silicon carbide (SiC) into the E71T1 steel matrix led to significant enhancements in tensile strength from 230 to 290&#xa0;Mpa and hardness from 63 to 83HRB compared to the as-fabricated E71T1 samples. These improvements are attributed to the increased presence of second-phase particles, which rose from 1.63 to 7.05%, and a notable reduction in grain size from 11.88 to 7.709&#xa0;μm. High-resolution SEM analysis revealed that SiC particles were not directly observed within the steel matrix. These SiC particles likely diffused into the steel matrix, resulting in the formation of iron silicate (Fe₃Si) and iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) compounds, as confirmed by high-resolution SEM and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) imaging reveals the presence of retained austenite in E71T1 mild steel after the WAAM process, emphasizing the necessity of appropriate post-process heat treatment. The study concludes that the WAAM process is an effective method for producing SiC-dispersed steel with improved mechanical properties, supporting the development of high-performance steel components.</p>