Microstructural Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of TiC/316L Composites Fabricated by Laser Melt Deposition
摘要
To provide an important basis for manufacturing high-strength 316L-based composites using the LMD, different percentages of TiC particles (0 wt pct, 0.5 wt pct, 1 wt pct, and 2 wt pct) and 316L stainless steel powder were employed as raw materials, and a low-energy ball milling process was adopted for homogeneous mixing. Processing was subsequently carried out by the laser melt deposition technology. The results revealed that the optimal mechanical properties were obtained when TiC particles were added at a concentration of 1 wt pct; the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation reached 526 ± 17.3 MPa, 764 ± 15.7 MPa, and 30.3 ± 0.9 pct, respectively. The emergence of a small quantity of Σ3 (60 deg/< 111 > ) twin boundaries provided the samples with the requisite ductility. When the amount of added TiC particles was increased to 2 wt pct, the grain refinement effect was the greatest, and the grain size was 25.8 ± 4.9 μm, whereas the number of columnar grains clearly decreased concurrently. Its elongation decreased sharply to 5.1 ± 0.2 pct, which was attributed to the agglomeration of TiC particles, the generation of pores, and the increase in residual stress. The texture of the LMD 316L samples was predominantly distributed in < 100 > //Z, and the proportion of the < 100 > //Z texture continuously decreased as the TiC content was increased. The strength enhancement primarily originated from the fine-grain strengthening and Orowan strengthening induced by the TiC particles.