Evolution and Impact of Oxygen Inclusions in 316L Stainless Steel Manufactured by Laser Powder Bed Fusion

The evolution of nano-scale oxide inclusions in 316L austenitic stainless steel (SS) manufactured by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) was investigated. The parts were heat treated at different temperature for same time, the size, morphology and chemistry of oxide inclusions were characterized. After heat treatment, oxide inclusions were found be maintain their chemistry. Statistical analysis was done by analyzing backscattered electron (BSE) images, it was found that the inclusion size increases with temperature and inclusion number decreases with temperature which indicates the Ostwald ripening coarsening mechanism behind.