Outlook on texture evolution in additively manufactured stainless steels: Prospects for hydrogen embrittlement resistance, overview of mechanical, and solidification behavior

Abstract

Realizing application specific manufacture with fusion-based additive manufacturing (F-BAM) processes requires understanding of the physical phenomena that drive evolution of microstructural attributes, such as texture. Current approaches for understanding texture evolution in F-BAM are majorly considerate of the phenomena occurring only during solidification. This hinders the comprehensive understanding and control of texture during F-BAM. In this perspective article, we discuss several physical phenomena occurring during and after solidification that can determine texture in F-BAM processed stainless steels (SS). A crystal plasticity-coupled hydrogen adsorption-diffusion modeling framework is also leveraged to demonstrate the prospects of grain boundary engineering with F-BAM for enhanced hydrogen embrittlement resistance of SS. Implications of varying thermokinetics in F-BAM for solidification behavior of SS are discussed. Additionally, microstructural attributes that are key to high temperature mechanical performance of SS are highlighted. Considerations as outlined in this perspective article will enable grain boundary engineering and application specific microstructural design of SS with F-BAM. Graphical abstract