Experimental Study of Morphological Defects Generated by SLM on 17-4PH Stainless Steel

For cyclic loading applications and critical structural, the emergence of flaws in additively manufactured components is a key concern. This study highlighted the defects generated by selective laser melting (SLM) to the 17-4 PH stainless steel parts. The defects were quantified using an experimental study: Optical microscope and roughness meter to evaluate surface morphology (roughness and porosity) and microstructure. Tensile tests to evaluate the mechanical performance. The defects recorded take several forms, the most important of which are the rough and heterogeneous surface, prominent bumps on the outer surface in the shape of a hemisphere, cavities inside the spaced and adjacent parts of different shapes, internal cracks perpendicular to the printing direction, undissolved particles confined in the dissolving structure layers, brittle behaviour, non-resistant attractive and heterogeneous structure etc.