Powder Preparation by Vacuum Atomization and 3D Printing Forming Performance of 316 Stainless Steel

Abstract

Abstract This work describes the process of preparing 316 L stainless steel powder by vacuum atomization, then a 3D print sample of 316 L stainless steel is prepared by selective laser melting (SLM) experiments. Over 77% of the powder particle size distribution ranges from 15 to 45 μm. The prepared sample shows a smooth surface with few satellite globules and high sphericity with the 4.5 Mpa atomization pressure. Under these atomization pressure conditions, the tensile strength can reach 798 Mpa and the elongation up to 32.3%. This work demonstrated that 3D printing metal materials with high tensile strength and good plasticity could be obtained under appropriate atomization pressure conditions.