A Comparative Study of Laser Additive Manufacturing of Ni-Base Superalloy and Low-Alloy High-Strength Steel

Nickel-based, high-temperature alloy GH3536 and high-strength low-alloy steel HY130 samples were prepared by the laser melting deposition method. The high-temperature tensile properties of the as-manufactured GH3536 and the corrosion resistance of the as-manufactured HY130 were highlighted. The physical properties, mechanical properties, and microstructure of the two materials under laser additive manufacturing were analyzed and compared. The effects of different printing parameters on the mechanical and corrosion properties were also explored. It was found that GH3536 maintained high toughness in high-temperature tensile tests at 500°C and 815°C, with elongation reaching 74.45% and 60.48%, respectively, and tensile strength reaching 762 MPa at room temperature. Optical microscopy and SEM showed that thermal cracks were generated in the GH3536 during the printing process, reducing the strength. Combining XRD and EDS analysis demonstrated that GH3536 samples have a face-centered cubic structure, while HY130 is mainly α-Fe phase. HY130 has the best corrosion resistance and strength at low laser power (1000 W). These findings provide a valuable reference for further optimization of the properties of both materials in the laser additive manufacturing process.