Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Direct Metal Laser-Sintered (DMLS) CoCrMo After Heat Treatment

Abstract

Microstructures and tensile properties of Direct Metal Laser-Sintered (DMLS) CoCrMo were investigated in the as-printed condition and after heat treatment. A dense (> 99.5 pct) as-printed DMLS CoCrMo was obtained in the as-printed condition eliminating the need for any hot isostatic pressing. Solution heat treatment carried out at 1150 °C revealed complete recrystallization resulting in an equiaxed grain structure with an average grain size of 40 μm. The microstructure after solution heat treatment and aging at 980 °C revealed inter and intragranular precipitations, enriched in Mo and Si. Solution treatment resulted in the decrease of the room-temperature tensile strength from 1378 MPa (as-printed) to 1114 MPa, which was attributed to the increasing grain size from 0.6 to 1 μm (column width) to ~ 40 μm (grain size). The decrease in yield strength was accompanied by the increasing ductility from 5.7 to 15 pct. An enhancement in ductility to nearly 25 pct was observed in tensile tests at 925 °C. This paper comprises a detailed microstructural evaluation of DMLS CoCrMo alloy to determine its suitability for high-temperature structural applications involving repair and refurbishment of components, including an evaluation of microstructural and tensile properties after welding the DMLS CoCrMo to cast FSX414.