Anisotropy of Elastic Properties of Inconel 718 Alloy Specimens Obtained by 3D Printing

The anisotropy of the elastic properties of Inconel 718 alloy produced by 3D printing (selective laser sintering) from powders was studied depending on the direction of 3D printing. The influence of the initial powder mixture and the subsequent heat treatment (post-printing treatment) on the anisotropy of the elastic properties of the alloy was evaluated. It was shown that the proposed treatments can reduce the anisotropy of the elastic properties of the alloy. The results of the theoretical estimation of the elastic and shear moduli, Poisson’s ratio, and their anisotropy in the horizontal and vertical directions of 3D printing are presented, using elastic constants of the single crystal and texture characteristics determined by X-ray diffraction. It is shown that the obtained theoretical values deviate from the corresponding experimental ones by 6–10%. The results of elastic properties and their anisotropy estimating can be used to improve the accuracy of calculating the stress-strain state and optimize the strategy of 3D printing of complex parts made of Inconel 718 alloy.