The Effect of Process Parameters on Columnar-To-Equiaxed-Transition (CET) During Electron Beam-Powder Bed Fusion of Ferritic Stainless Steel

Abstract: Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion manufacturing of components is an additive manufacturing process that is complex and has widespread advantages for aerospace and many industrial processes. It reduces costs and has a larger powder particle size requirement. This gives the benefit of a higher mass deposition rate and thus faster production time compared to Laser-Powder Bed Fusion process. Powder bed manufacturing processes often lead to columnar grain structure formation along the build direction, resulting in components that have anisotropic physical and mechanical properties. This is a major problem that limits the applications of this technique. In order to promote equiaxed grains, as well as refine the columnar morphology and eliminate anisotropic properties, the roles of process conditions and presence of inoculants or heterogeneous nucleating sites are considered. In this study, the addition of titanium nitride inoculants is used to promote columnar to equiaxed grain transition in ferritic stainless steel with the use of melting strategies and variable process parameters. It has been found that the thermal gradient (G) to solidification rate (R) ratio (G/R ratio) controls grain morphology and texture: a low G/R ratio has been shown to promote the formation of equiaxed grains. The process conditions for this transition were investigated. The samples were analyzed after printing single line tracks in the Freemelt One machine, and thereafter studied with the aid of optical microscopy to ascertain the combination of machine parameters that results in a successful transition from columnar grains to equiaxed. The study concluded that there was an increase in the fraction of equiaxed grains under these conditions; a low thermal gradient, high scanning velocity and low area energy. Ultimately, further investigation will be needed to establish the exact process parameters that will promote the transition from columnar to equiaxed grains in ferritic stainless steel. The findings from this study can be used by future researchers to create solidification maps for this steel grade and assist industry to tailor specific textures in ferritic stainless steel to achieved desired microstructures and mechanical properties.