Corrosion resistance of a high strength Nickel-free austenitic stainless steel produced by laser powder bed fusion
摘要
This study demonstrates the simultaneous achievement of high strength and excellent corrosion resistance in a Ni-free, high N austenitic stainless steel fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB). The formation of a single-phase austenitic structure was confirmed through X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Cyclic potentiodynamic polarization tests conducted in 0.6 M NaCl solution at room temperature revealed high breakdown potential (1187 ± 31 mVSCE), indicating excellent corrosion resistance for the additively manufactured Ni-free austenitic stainless steel compared to wrought 316L stainless steel. These findings were further supported by immersion tests in FeCl3 solution. The additively fabricated alloy’s yield strength and ultimate tensile strength exceeded 800 MPa and 1 GPa, respectively. The results highlight the potential for developing highly corrosion-resistant, high-strength Ni-free austenitic stainless steel by PBF-LB for possible applications for biomedical implants and structures relating to nuclear energy.