The Effect of the Deposition Strategy and Heat Treatment on Cold Spray Additive Manufactured 316L Stainless Steel

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of annealing on the characteristics and properties of Cold Spray Additive Manufactured 316L stainless steel, employing traditional and Metal Knitting strategies. 316L feedstock powder characteristics, parts’ geometries, material’s microstructures, porosity, microhardness, mechanical anisotropy, and residual stress by neutron diffraction were performed in two conditions, as-sprayed and annealed. The heat treatment significantly improved the Ultimate Tensile Stress and the quality of the parts, in general. The CSAM traditional strategy resulted in higher mechanical resistance; however, the Metal Knitting presented a better part geometry control. After heat treatment, both materials had the same microhardness and planar isotropy. A discussion about the mechanisms, microstructural, and residual stress evolution is presented.