Quasi-static and dynamic tensile behaviour of 316L stainless steels: Rolled versus laser-powder bed fusion (LPBF) fabricated samples

Abstract

This study assessed the quasi-static and dynamic tensile properties of additive manufactured 316L stainless steel through a series of direct tensile tests. The fabrication of the additive manufactured 316L stainless steel specimens was achieved through the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technique, with specimens prepared in various building orientations. For comparison, traditional rolled 316L stainless steel was also tested in various rolling orientations. The influences of the strain rate and rolling/building orientations on the tensile behaviour of rolled and LBPF printed 316L stainless steels were investigated. Fracture morphology and mode were also observed using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. Furthermore, experimental data was fitted by the Cowper-Symonds model to determine the strain rate effects on the material yield and ultimate strengths. To describe the quasi-static and dynamic tensile behaviours of the rolled and LBPF printed 316L stainless steels, a modified Johnson-Cook (J-C) model incorporating the Voce hardening model and considering the strain rate effect was employed.