Influence of post-processing heat-treatment on the mechanical performance of AISI 410L stainless steel manufactured by the L-DED process

Additively manufactured martensitic stainless steel components can combine complex geometry with superior mechanical and corrosion performance. In this work, the mechanical performance of AISI 410L processed by laser directed energy deposition (L-DED) additive manufacturing using previously optimized parameters is assessed. Microstructure, hardness, tensile strength, and Charpy impact toughness are evaluated in the as-built and heat-treated conditions. Four heat-treatment routes are investigated: (I) austenitization and water quenched, and austenitization, water quenched, and tempered at (II) 300, (III) 450, and (IV) 600 °C, followed by air cooling. The results show that, for tempering temperatures up to 450 °C, the hardness, yield strength, and ultimate tensile strength show an increasing trend when compared with the as-built condition and reference commercial standard (annealed AISI 410) because of microstructure refinement induced by recrystallization. Tempering at 600 °C, on the other hand, enhances the ductility of the specimens, accounting for an increased deformation until fracture and superior Charpy impact toughness. In summary, this work demonstrates that, for all tested conditions, the tensile strength of the AISI 410L additively manufactured by L-DED outperforms that of the standardized commercial AISI 410 martensitic stainless steel, and that post-processing heat-treatments can be used to further enhance toughness and ductility, making it even more competitive.