Microstructure and mechanical properties of selective laser melted Inconel 718 compared to forging and casting

Abstract The additive manufacturing technique selective laser melting (SLM) is compared to forging and casting regarding differences in microstructure and mechanical properties of Inconel 718, a commonly and widely used nickel-based superalloy. Semi-finished parts were produced by different manufacturing techniques and tensile test samples were prepared. Tensile tests were performed at room and elevated temperatures (450 °C and 650 °C). Microstructural investigations were done by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show the capability of the SLM-process to produce parts with mechanical properties better than forged and cast material at room temperature and equal properties to forged material at elevated temperatures with a high proportion of intragranular δ-phase in the SLM-processed material.