Researchers assess effect of scan strategies on structure-property relationship in PBF-EB processed 316L
April 17, 2025
Researchers from Linköping University, Sweden, have published a paper in Materials & Design focused on the impact of eight different scanning strategies on the structure-property relationship in 316L austenitic stainless steel after production by Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-EB) Additive Manufacturing.
The results showed that variation in localised microstructure is principally determined by the beam path length and the extent of melting-remelting cycles. Sporadic dislocation sub-structures were observed in scan strategies where thermal conditions were more turbulent than the reference raster scan; this led to different mechanical responses despite lower measured densities.
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Average yield strength and ultimate tensile strength surpassed the conventionally produced and subsequently annealed 316L and were noted as being very close to the standards set forward for nuclear applications. These results open up the possibility of using different scan strategies in a PBF-EB machine that can exploit the scan path design freedom and achieve localised microstructural and property differences.
The researchers fabricated a proof-of-concept scaled-down version of an industrial component with varying scan patterns at different areas and mechanically tested the resultant part to showcase the feasibility of the presented approach.
‘Assessing the effect of scan strategies on the structure-property relationship in electron beam powder bed fusion processed 316L stainless steel’ is available here.
