Texture evolution in selective laser melted maraging stainless steel CX with martensitic transformation

Due to high local cooling rates and non-equilibrium directional solidification conditions, selective laser melting (SLM) processed metals exhibit microstructural and textural features significantly different from the conventionally processed ones. The evolution of crystallographic orientations in a maraging stainless steel (commercially known as stainless steel CX) sample fabricated by the SLM process was studied through experimental and modelling approaches Electron backscattering diffraction analysis showed that the dominant texture components in martensite and austenite phases are || building direction and || building direction, respectively. Texture simulation indicated that the formation of crystallographic orientations in the studied sample is the result of two consecutive phase transformations, from initially solidified delta ferrite phase with dominant cube fiber texture to austenite and austenite to martensite.

Automated summary

High local cooling rates and non-equilibrium directional solidification conditions in selective laser melting (SLM) lead to significantly different microstructural and textural features compared to conventionally processed metals. Experimental and modelling approaches were used to study the evolution of crystallographic orientations in maraging stainless steel CX fabricated by SLM, showing dominant texture components in martensite and austenite phases are || building direction and || building direction, respectively. Texture simulation suggested that crystallographic orientations in the sample are the result of two consecutive phase transformations from delta ferrite phase to austenite with dominant cube fiber texture, and then to martensite.