Statistical analysis of LPBF parameters and heat treatment on the mechanical properties of 17-4 PH stainless steel
摘要
In this study, 17-4PH was fabricated via the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process, with variations in processing parameters (laser power, scanning speed) and post-treatment conditions (aging time and temperature). Characterization was conducted using scanning electron microscopy, tensile testing, and microhardness measurements. Experimental data were analyzed using statistical methods. A statistical model was developed employing analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess the influence of both process and heat treatment parameters on the mechanical properties, including yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), elongation to failure, and hardness. The recommended processing parameters and aging conditions for optimal mechanical properties are a laser power of 220 W, a scanning speed of 700 mm/s, an aging time of 240 minutes, and an aging temperature of 550 °C. Under these optimized conditions, the 17-4PH stainless steel exhibited a yield strength of 1013 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 1066 MPa, elongation of 15.55%, and microhardness of 46.94 HRC, demonstrating an effective balance between strength, ductility, and hardness desirable for demanding structural applications.