Influence of building orientation of additively manufactured samples made of Maraging Steel MS1 on Young's modulus

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) technology produces parts from metal powders, using laser beam energy to promote sintering in an inert and thermally controlled chamber environment. Many factors influence the resulting mechanical properties of individual parts. One of these parameters is the direction of building the component. The paper deals with the behaviour of 3D printed Maraging Steel MS1 in uniaxial tensile tests, during which the effect of sample orientation on Young's modulus as well as other mechanical properties was investigated. The morphology of the fracture surfaces was also evaluated using the scanning electron microscopy technique. Standard samples were prepared by DMLS technology in seven different directions, with ten pieces of samples produced in each direction. After 3D printing, the samples were heat-treated to remove residual stresses and machined to final dimensions after removal from the build platform. The measured values were statistically processed, and the mechanical properties were evaluated. The tests showed that the orientation of the sample during its production has an effect on the mechanical properties. It can also be stated that the comparison of the results with the tensile properties stated by the manufacturer of the steel powder in the data sheet confirmed the values in the declared range. The morphology of fracture surfaces in most samples is characterized by ductile damage with a pitting effect.