Thermo-physical properties investigation in relation to deposition orientation for SLM deposited H13 steel

Components produced by additive manufacturing (AM) exhibit a heterogeneous microstructure, hence results in anisotropic mechanical properties. There are very limited studies available on thermo-physical properties variation in relation to the deposition orientation. Variation in these properties may result in an uneven stress distribution. In this work, thermo-physical properties of H13 tool steel fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) process were experimentally investigated. The effect of three deposition directions (vertical, horizontal and 45 degrees to base plane of build platform) on thermal expansion, thermal diffusivity, specific heat, thermal conductivity and simplified CCT diagram was studied. Additionally, mechanical properties and metallographic studies of the microstructure were carried out together with the porosity evaluation measurements across the specimens.