Increasing Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed Samples by Direct Metal Laser Sintering Using Heat Treatment Process

Abstract

The paper deals with the evaluation of mechanical properties of 3D-printed samples based on high-strength steel powder system maraging steel using direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), which is currently being put into technical practice. The novelty of this article is that it analyzes mechanical properties of samples both printed and age hardened as well as examining the fracture surfaces. When comparing the manufacturer’s range with our recorded values, samples from Set 1 demonstrated strength ranging from 1110 to ultimate 1140 MPa. Samples from Set 2 showed tensile strength values that were just below average. Our recorded range was from 1920 to ultimate 2000 MPa while the manufacturer reported a range from 1950 to 2150 MPa. The tensile strength was in the range from 841 to ultimate 852 MPa in Set 1, and from 1110 to ultimate 1130 MPa in Set 2.

Keywords

• mechanical properties
• tensile strength
• laser sintering
• fracture
• additive technology
• rapid prototyping